Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday urged member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners to promote balanced, inclusive and sustainable development in East Asia.

Addressing the 7th East Asia Summit, Wen said the summit took place amid international concerns over a slow global economic recovery, as well as increasing uncertainties and instabilities worldwide.

To boost unity and cooperation, Wen said East Asian countries should join hands, and promote confidence and hope.

The Chinese premier urged the regional nations to support balanced, inclusive and sustainable development in East Asia, facilitate the exchanges of experience in promoting development, strengthen macropolicy coordination, narrow development gap and expand cooperation in finance, energy, education, disaster management, public health and transnational infrastructure.

He asked the leaders to support negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, pursue liberal and fair trade policies, keep markets open, and oppose all forms of protectionism.

Wen said China supports cooperation in disaster management, infectious diseases prevention and counter-piracy.

He urged countries to formulate their own policies to address the international financial crisis, maintain financial stability, promote employment and improve people's livelihood.

China's economic development has started to level off and is estimated to keep a rapid growth rate. China would continue to be a key regional and global economic powerhouse, Wen said.

China is willing to be a responsible player to promote peace, stability and development in the region, he added.

Other leaders attending the summit agreed that the international financial crisis, which has triggered global economic downturn, is still lingering.

The fiscal and debt problems of some Western nations have brought negative impact to the region, they said.

They also believed all East Asian countries should work together even closer so as to promote regional trade liberalization and economic integration, maintain financial, energy and food security, strengthen cross-border infrastructure, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Endi