KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday hailed the relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

    In his speech to the East Asia Summit Leaders' Dialogue -- "China's Peaceful Development: An Opportunity for East Asia," Wen recalled the development of the relations in various fields, saying China is proud to be a good neighbor, good friend and good partner.

    "On the political front, China and ASEAN have, through the effective 10+1 cooperation mechanism, forged a strategic partnership and issued the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," he said.

    "China is the first country outside the Southeast Asian region to have acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and it will soon become a development partner of the East ASEAN Growth Area," he noted.

    "Economically, China and ASEAN are working to establish a free trade area. The two sides have concluded the agreement on trade in goods, and started negotiations on service trade agreement and investment agreement," Wen said.

    The premier said China supports enhancing financial cooperation among East Asian countries, and has signed Currency Swap Agreements worth 15.5 billion US dollars under the Chiang Mai Initiative.

    Moreover, China has offered full support in terms of capital, technology and market access in promoting Greater Mekong Subregion economic cooperation, provided special preferential tariff treatment for 950 products from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, and cancelled the matured government debts of some least developed countries in Asia.

    Wen stressed that China is committed to East Asia cooperation in the interest of fostering a harmonious, secure and prosperous neighborly environment.

    "China hopes that such cooperation will promote regional peace and prosperity and create a friendly international environment that will facilitate its development endeavor," he added.

    ASEAN, founded in 1967, groups Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

    The regional bloc is dedicated to accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development through cooperative programs. It also serves as a forum for the resolution of intra-regional disputes. Enditem