The Commemorative Summit for the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Cooperation was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 19 November 2012. It was attended by Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of China and the leaders of ASEAN countries, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The summit was chaired by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Premier Wen Jiabao said that the APT cooperation started from scratch and keeps growing. It has withstood the tests of fluctuating regional and global situations and has made remarkable achievements. APT have successfully coped with the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the unprecedented global financial crisis and have established a well-rounded platform for cooperation. APT have achieved important results in maintaining financial and food security and have gradually carved out a successful path of regional cooperation in line with the realities of East Asia.
Premier Wen said that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the APT cooperation and deepening the East Asian cooperation is in a critical stage. APT need to continue to enhance the internal cohesion and continue to focus on development issues. APT need to further strengthen institutional building, step up confidence, make solid progress, and make unremitting efforts for the early realization of the East Asian Community.
Wen Jiabao proposed four initiatives:
First, to further enhance the ability to respond to the crisis. To speed up the revision of the Chiang Mai Initiative, a multilateral agreement and upgrade the APT Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) to a regional international organization as soon as possible and actively cultivate the Asian bonds market.
Second, to strive to promote the regional economic integration process. China is supportive of advancing the negotiations on regional comprehensive economic partnership, expanding mutual investment between APT countries, and deepening the industrial integration.
Third, to carry out comprehensive cooperation in connectivity. To actively build up a platform for cooperation, strengthen coordination of policies and regulations, broaden financing channels, and build up convenient, efficient infrastructure networks.
Fourth, to create a stable, secure, friendly social and public environment. To conduct focused discussions on the establishment of regional institutional arrangements in such fields as law enforcement, disaster management, combating transnational crime, disease prevention and control and carry out more youth, media, and cultural exchanges.
Wen Jiabao stressed in his concluding remarks that history has proven that the APT cooperation has important and far-reaching significance. ASEAN countries, China, Japan and ROK should, from their respective fundamental interests as well as the common interests of all countries, continue to strengthen strategic communication, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, work together to address the challenges and stay committed to lasting peace and common prosperity of East Asia.
The leaders of other countries made positive comments on the course and outcome of APT cooperation and lauded the important role played by China. The leaders all agreed that the international financial crisis caused global economic recession and brought about great instability and uncertainty to East Asia. The APT countries should strengthen solidarity and cooperation, promote regional trade liberalization and economic integration, and maintain financial, energy and food security. The APT countries should strengthen infrastructure connectivity, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and work together to address the crisis and challenges. The APT countries should continue to maintain strong economic growth of the region and promote balanced and sustainable development.
The summit adopted the ASEAN Plus Three Leaders' Joint Statement on the Commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation and the Leaders' Statement on ASEAN Plus Three Partnership on Connectivity.
