Stability needed for development: China

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

HANOI (JP): Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao pledged his country's commitment on Wednesday to amiably resolve any differences with members of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), asserting that only peace could foster continued economic development in the coming century.

Speaking at a meeting between the nine-ASEAN leaders and their counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea, Hu stressed that "peace and stability are an important guarantee for the economic growth in East Asia".

"To cherish the existing good-neighborly and friendly relations among East Asian countries and (to) persist in ironing out their differences through peaceful means are undoubtedly very important for the stability, prosperity and cooperation of East Asia in the new century," he said.

The 90-minute meeting, commonly referred to as "nine-plus- three", has evolved to become a traditional meeting hosted by ASEAN following its summit.

During the meeting, Japan was represented by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Korea by President Kim Dae-jung.

It was immediately preceded by individual meetings between ASEAN members and the leaders of China, Japan and Korea in turn.

Many ASEAN analysts have expressed their belief that China, as the regional superpower, is the most important factor in maintaining peace in the region.

Four ASEAN members -- Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam -- are also involved in a dispute with Beijing over claims to the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

During their hour-long individual meeting, Hu told ASEAN leaders "China will strictly abide by the political consensus reached with ASEAN".

It will "continue to maintain the favorable atmosphere and momentum of dialog and cooperation and persist in the settlement of existing differences and disputes through friendly consultations on an equal footing," he said.

"In a word, it is an important component of China's foreign policy and a set national policy of the Chinese government to consolidate and develop its partnership of good neighborliness and trust with the ASEAN countries."

Another issue agreed upon by all 12 leaders during their meetings here was to make a concerted effort to overcome the economic crisis.

ASEAN leaders expressed appreciation of the role and contributions of the three countries in overcoming the financial and economic crisis which has swept Southeast Asia.

They noted that China's maintenance of the value of its yuan (renmimbi) currency, along with the early recovery of Japan and South Korea's economies, were important measures in helping expedite an end to the crisis.

ASEAN leaders stressed that improved access of their products to the three country's markets was critical to further alleviate the situation.

During a news briefing, Obuchi affirmed Japan's desire to play a leading role in overcoming the crisis.

"Needless to say, Japan is part of the Asian community... Japan should walk ahead."

Obuchi believed the ASEAN leaders were also looking to Japan's leadership.

"I felt for myself the strong expectations they had vis-a-vis Japan," he remarked, adding that they considered Japan like "an older brother or sister".

Obuchi said he recognized that one of the keys to Southeast Asia's recovery was improvement of the Japanese economy.

In October, Japanese finance minister Kiichi Miyazawa pledged US$30 million to help kicks tart the region's stalled economies.

The plan was initially aimed at Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and South Korea, but recently Vietnam also asked to be included in the scheme.

Scant details were available on the extent of the discussions on plans during the meeting, with Obuchi merely saying the ASEAN leaders "expressed hope of making use of the funds".