More co-op between ASEAN, China, Japan, ROK urged

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during an ASEAN+3 ministerial meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on June 30, 2013. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday asked for efforts to make cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan, South Korea the main cooperation channel in East Asia. (Xinhua/Jin Yi)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday asked for efforts to make cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan, South Koreathe main cooperation channel in East Asia.

The ASEAN+3 (10+3) framework has served as a solid pillar of economic integration in East Asia, said Wang, who was attending an ASEAN+3 ministerial meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Cooperation between the 13 countries should be taken as a means to protect regional peace and prosperity and to better serve the purpose of regional development, he added.

Wang asked for efforts to take full advantage of the 10+3 framework as the main cooperation channel in East Asia. Further cooperation should be promoted to enhance the leadership of the 10+3 framework in regional cooperation, he said.

He also asked for faster pace of East Asian integration. All sides should work toward the direction of East Asian integration and the establishment of an East Asian economic community.

Wang said efforts are needed to coordinate the 10+3 cooperation framework and cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea.

China, Japan and South Korea should attach more importance to their cooperation with ASEAN countries and to the 10+3 cooperation framework, said Wang. At the same time, ASEAN countries should also pay more attention to 10+3 cooperation.

Wang urged efforts to chart a future for the 10+3 framework. The 13 countries should promote cooperation in fiscal and monetary areas and in food security, he said. At the moment, coordination of macroeconomic policies should be taken as a priority to help the region fend off financial risks, said Wang.

On specific policy areas, he asked to promote the effectiveness of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization, the construction of the 10+3 Emergency Rice Reserve, the overall planing for regional interconnectivity, and the establishment of a regional financing platform.

China has played an active role in 10+3 cooperation, said Wang. China is willing to work with its partners to push 10+3 cooperation to a higher level so as to make more contributions to regional peace, stability and development. At present, the 10+3 framework is at its crucial stage of development, he noted.

Foreign ministers from other countries of the 10+3 framework also spoke highly of the rapid development of 10+3 cooperation. They said 10+3 cooperation is full of vitality and potential, and serves as the main cooperation channel in East Asia.