KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday hailed the strong momentum of growth in China-ASEAN relations with solid progress registered this year in cooperation in building a free trade area, security and development.

    Speaking at the 9th China-ASEAN summit here, Wen hailed the strong momentum of growth in comprehensive cooperation between the two sides, citing examples such as the Plan of Action that is being implemented to promote strategic partnership, and a detailedtwo-year implementation plan that has been adopted.

    "With gratifying progress in our cooperation in economy, trade, social undertaking, culture, science and technology, youth and other fields, China-ASEAN relationship has entered a new stage of more practical and all-around growth," he said.

    Solid progress has been made on building China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, for which the free trade in goods has begun, the all-around tariff reduction process has started since July and negotiations on agreements on trade in services and on investment are under way,the premier said.

    He added that China-ASEAN trade continues to grow and is expected to exceed 120 billion US dollars this year.

    On progress in security cooperation, Wen said that the Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking in the Agreement Area in the South China Sea, signed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam, "marked a breakthrough in the joint development of the South China Sea."

    "The recent successful convocation of the first Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime Plus China Consultation has further deepened our cooperation in counter-terrorism, drug control, law enforcement and other related areas," he added.

    On progress of cooperation in development, Wen highlighted the Second Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Summit held in Kunming, China last July, which adopted the Kunming Declaration.

    In his instructive conclusions, Wen said that to act in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit is essential for the growth of cooperation between China and ASEAN, which are bound together by common need and joint responsibilities.

    He also said that to seek consensus through consultation is the principal way of enhancing cooperation between China and ASEAN, and the mechanism of cooperation is the effective platform for promoting China-ASEAN relationship.

    And, to open up new areas of cooperation provides the driving force for the growth of China-ASEAN relations, he concluded.

    Wen arrived here Sunday after successively paying visits to France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Portugal.

    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. Enditem