The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China had
stepped into an era of full trust and cooperation, and the
association's member countries had benefited a lot from China's
rapid economic growth, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said.
In an exclusive interview with Chinese journalists at his
official residence, Hun Sen said since 1991, when ASEAN and China
established regular dialogue, both sides had benefited from the
rapid development of their ties, adding that the result today was a
sound relationship of trust and cooperation.
Their current relations are expected to become stronger in the
future as both sides now understood each other better, said the
prime minister.
Meanwhile, he stressed, China's economic growth has offered
opportunities for Cambodia and other ASEAN member countries which
therefore benefit many in the fields of trade, economy and
investment.
ASEAN exports to China stood at US$4.5 billion in 1993, US$9.2
billion in 1998, and US$38.7 billion in 2004, said Hun Sen, adding
that these figures reflected the fast growth of the benefits that
ASEAN derives from China.
"This is a positive sign for the cooperation between China and
the ASEAN countries," he said.
In addition, Hun Sen said, China had granted the generalized
system of preference (GSP) status to the least developed countries
of ASEAN in order to increase their trade with China, thus
promoting their individual economic development and the improved
integration of the member countries, new or old, poor or rich, big
or small, he said.
On the issue of the South China Sea, the leaders of ASEAN and
China welcomed the progress made by both sides toward the full
implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the
South China Sea, which was to transform the South China Sea into a
sea of peace, cooperation and friendship, he said.
He agreed that both sides still had disagreements and
differences on some issues, which required them to engage in
positive bilateral acts of trust and compromise in order to develop
lasting win-win solutions.
On the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit which was initiated by
Cambodia and will be hosted by China, Hun Sen said the kingdom
played the role of coordinator between China and ASEAN, and it was
with both leaders' support that the summit initiative turned into a
reality.
It would be an important summit, as both sides represented 2
billion people in all, which meant a huge market and endless
potential, he said.
Through the summit, both sides should, in a concerted manner,
act to boost bilateral ties and trade volume, a process which would
benefit China, ASEAN, and the whole Asia-Pacific region, he
added.
Hun Sen is to leave for Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region, on Sunday to attend the summit with other ASEAN
leaders.
(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2006)