China hails trans-Eurasia railway plan

China hails trans-Eurasia railway plan

JAKARTA (Kyodo): Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen has voiced Beijing's support for a trans-Eurasia railway project.

"We appreciate the efforts of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries in pushing forward the implementation of the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) follow-up actions and support the establishment of the Asia-Europe Foundation and the plan of a cross-Eurasia railway," Qian said Wednesday.

He pledged the support during the opening session of an annual meeting of foreign ministers from ASEAN's seven members -- Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam -- and its 10 major trading partners, including the United States and Japan.

As a follow-up to the first ASEM dialogue held in Bangkok last March, some countries in Asia and Europe announced support for plans to establish the foundation and the railway.

As part of the dialogue, an Asia-Europe technological cooperation meeting is to be held in Beijing next year which will focus on ways to intensify technological exchanges and cooperation.

Chinese officials are expected to meet with Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the coordinator of the ASEAN- China dialogue, and senior officials from the other six ASEAN countries later the day in a so-called seven-plus-one closed session.

According to the agenda of the meeting, obtained by Kyodo News, there will be an exchange of views on issues such as regional development, ASEAN-China relations and cooperation in trade.