China looks to boost economic integration of East Asia at ASEAN summits

China looks to boost economic integration¹ of East Asia at ASEAN summits

 BEIJING, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Despite sluggish² recovery of the world economy, China is looking to contribute to the regional cooperation and integration of East Asia during upcoming meetings for the region's leaders.

Chinese Premier³ Wen Jiabao will attend the summits to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from Nov. 18 to 20, Vice⁴ Foreign Minister Fu Ying said Saturday at a press briefing.

The meetings include the 15th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as the 15th summit between the ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK and the 7th East Asia Summit.

Wen's attendance at the events has important implications for the development of China-ASEAN ties and East Asia cooperation, which is much needed for the region to grapple with the global economic downturn, the vice minister said.

China will propose some new initiatives on various aspects at the China-ASEAN summit, including the establishment of a China-ASEAN partnership⁵ on marine⁶ affairs, hi-tech industrial parks, public health action plan and common tourism market, according to Fu.

During the summit between the ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK, China will announce its participation⁷ in negotiations⁸ concerning the to-be-launched Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), she said.

She said the RCEP agreement, if reached, will give a strong impetus⁹ to the economic integrity of East Asia, as the initiative is expected to incorporate huge economic power of 16 nations including ten ASEAN states, China, Japan, the ROK, India, Australia and New Zealand.

The planned talks on a free trade area between China, Japan and the ROK are also scheduled to start within the year, Fu said.

"As the international financial crisis continues and trade and investment protectionism start to grow, regional economic integration has become the common choice of many countries," Fu said.

She added that China adopts an open attitude toward any cooperation initiative that is conducive¹⁰ to economic integration and the common prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

China will focus on the theme of development at the 7th East Asia Summit so as to boost cooperation in six areas -- finance, energy, education, public health systems, disaster management and regional connectivity -- among all countries at the meeting.

As a series of relevant declarations and agreements are to be signed as a result of these summits, China believes that the events will yield positive results with the common efforts of all participating nations, according to Fu.

China hopes the upcoming meetings can promote mutual¹¹ trust and build consensus¹², deepen pragmatic exchange and cooperation among nations and boost the further development of current mechanisms¹³ within the region, Fu said.

Moreover, China calls for all relevant nations to improve their ability to address crisis, Fu added.

In addition to the meetings, Premier Wen will pay official visits to Cambodia and Thailand at the invitations of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, respectively.

During his stay in Cambodia, Wen will pay tribute to recently deceased former King Norodom Sihanouk.

Wen will also hold talks with Hun Sen to discuss consolidating¹⁴ traditional friendship, deepening the China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and strengthening the two countries' coordination¹⁵ and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

The two countries will also ink cooperation deals regarding the economy, technology, education and training.

Fu added that Cambodia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the ASEAN this year, plays an important and positive role in East Asia cooperation and China-ASEAN relations.

As for Wen's official visit to Thailand, Fu said the Chinese premier will meet with major members of the royal family and will hold talks with Yingluck Shinawatra during his stay from Nov. 20 to 21.

The two prime ministers will exchange views on further deepening the China-Thai comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, promoting their trade, investment and cultural cooperation, and strengthening cooperation in international and regional affairs, she said.

Wen will also attend the inauguration¹⁶ ceremony for a Chinese cultural center in Bangkok, which will be the first of its kind to be established in Southeast Asia.

Relevant departments of the two countries will sign cooperation agreements on diplomacy¹⁷, education and water conservancy.

"Thailand, which has taken over the position of coordinator¹⁸ for China-ASEAN relations, will play a unique and important role in promoting the development of China-ASEAN relations and East Asia cooperation in its three-year tenure," Fu said.

1 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

2 sluggish   

adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的

参考例句：

• This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
• Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

3 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

4 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

5 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

6 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

7 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

8 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

9 impetus   

n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力

参考例句：

• This is the primary impetus behind the economic recovery.这是促使经济复苏的主要动力。
• Her speech gave an impetus to my ideas.她的讲话激发了我的思绪。

10 conducive   

adj.有益的，有助的

参考例句：

• This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
• Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。

11 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

12 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

13 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 consolidating   

v.（使）巩固， （使）加强( consolidate的现在分词 )；（使）合并

参考例句：

• These measures are meant for consolidating the system of basic medical care. 这些举措旨在夯实基层医疗体系，让老百姓看大病不必出远门。 来自互联网
• We are consolidating the Chinese and English versions of our homepage. 我们将为您提供中英文版本一起的主页。 来自互联网

15 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

16 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

17 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

18 coordinator   

n.协调人

参考例句：

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。
• How am I supposed to find the client-relations coordinator? 我怎么才能找到客户关系协调员的办公室？