China Thursday expressed its hope that East Asian cooperation would deepen through the upcoming series of leaders' meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam.
"China attaches importance to and actively takes part in East Asian cooperation. In the series of meetings, China will review with other countries the cooperation that has been carried out and discuss how to further promote the integration process of East Asian cooperation," said Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue.
Hu made the remarks at a press conference Thursday afternoon in which officials from the ministries of Commerce, Education and Finance briefed the press on Premier Wen Jiabao's scheduled attendance at the meetings.
The meetings, lasting from Oct. 28 to 30, will include: the 13th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (10+1); the 13th summit between ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (10+3); and the fifth East Asia Summit.
Wen will also attend a meeting with the leaders of Japan and the ROK.
Hu said China hopes the meetings would promote good-neighborliness and boost cooperation between China and the other Asian countries.
"During his visit, Premier Wen, together with participating leaders of other countries, will review the achievements of China-ASEAN cooperation, 10+3 cooperation, and East Asian cooperation, as well as cooperation concerning East Asia Summit. He will also elaborate on how to strengthen cooperation. We believe his tour will further consolidate China's good-neighborly relationships and expand reciprocal cooperation," he said.