BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Non-government organizations of China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday signed a declaration vowing to step up people-to-people cooperation.

    "The declaration manifests the common aspiration of these organizations and enhances their friendship," said Gu Xiulian, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress.

    The declaration says non-government organizations will step upcontacts and exchanges, hold culture promotion activities and enhance trade and investment cooperation between China and the ASEAN nations.

    The declaration was signed after the one-day meeting between the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and ten non-government ASEAN organizations.

    The meeting discussed how to play positive roles in promoting political trust, trade, culture and local cooperation of China-ASEAN partnership.

    "Non-government organizations serve as an important platform todevelop China-ASEAN ties and play an irreplaceable role in promoting all-round cooperation," Gu said.

    "We would like to step up people exchanges through non-government organizations and enhance social, economic and cultural cooperation, which will lay a solid foundation for China-ASEAN strategic partnership," Gu said. Enditem