CEBU, Philippines, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Sunday that China will host a China-ASEAN peace-keeping workshop in the second half this year, in order to further promote defense cooperation and enhance mutual understanding and confidence among the militaries of China and ASEAN countries.

    Wen made the statement at the 10th ASEAN-China Summit held Sunday in the central Philippine resort city, when he addressed the leaders of ASEAN countries in a speech entitled "Work Together to Open a New Chapter in China-ASEAN Relations".

    In his speech, Wen also proposed that China and ASEAN actively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which was signed by China and ASEAN countries a few years ago, in order to promote practical cooperation and joint development in the South China Sea and ensure its stability.

    It is learned that the envisaged peace-keeping workshop will be the first of its kind to be held between China and ASEAN countriesin the field of defense and peacekeeping. It will also be another important defense exchange program for the two sides after they jointly held a China-ASEAN regional security seminar in Beijing in July last year.

    With development of friendship and mutual political trust, China and some ASEAN countries have sent navy ships to each others' countries on friendly calls. Two Chinese navy combat ships visited the Philippines last year, while Thailand and Singapore also sent navy ships to visit Chinese ports. China has also sent military personnel to watch military exercises in Thailand.

    Moreover, the two sides reached last year initial agreement on implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and adopted an annual work plan for such implementation.