China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed that the upcoming ASEAN summits and its partners should not focus on disputed political and security issues.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made the remarks during their meeting after Wen's arrival in Bali, a tourist resort in Indonesia, which currently holds the ASEAN rotating presidency, on Thursday.

"In such a complicated and serious international political and economic situation, the upcoming summits should highlight the theme of unity, development and cooperation," said Wen, referring to the 14th summit between China and the ASEAN (10+1) as well as the 14th summit between ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (10+3) and the sixth East Asia Summit scheduled for November 17-21.

Wen stressed that the meetings should uphold the leading role of ASEAN, strengthen the cohesion and motive power of the mechanisms of 10+3 and 10+1,and avoid all interference so as to make the meetings advance towards a fixed direction and goals.

"It is of great importance for east Asia to realize sustainable economic development, improve people's livelihood and maintain stability," Wen said.

The premier said he hoped new members of the east Asian summit would inject new vitality into the east Asian cooperation. He also called on the summit, a strategic forum led by state leaders, to continue to proceed in the selected direction and cooperation areas, and to play a positive role in promoting regional economic and social development as well as maintaining the momentum of peaceful cooperation.

Wen's remarks were echoed by the Indonesian president, who said east Asia should shoulder the responsibility of promoting regional and world economic growth and become a driving force in the face of the global economic difficulties.

All members of the east Asian summit need to stick to the summit's principles and make joint efforts to maintain the overall situation of peace and cooperation so as to ensure that the summit will advance in the right direction, he said.

The president said ASEAN is not in favor of discussions on specific political and security issues at the summit.

Wen and the president also discussed the China-Indonesia relationship and pledged to make joint efforts for its further development.

Wen said China attached great importance to the infrastructure construction and industrial development of Indonesia's six economic corridors, and will encourage Chinese financial institutes to provide financial supports.

He also called on the two countries to further expand cooperation in areas of oil and natural gas, coal, electric power, new energy and renewable energy.

The two countries should establish a joint committee on maritime cooperation at an early date and strengthen cooperation with their maritime cooperation funds, he said.

The premier pledged that China will make close coordination with Indonesia to jointly promote east Asian cooperation and the China-Indonesia strategic partnership.

Appreciating China's support for the construction of its six economic corridors, Yudhoyono pledged concerted efforts with China to promote cooperation in energy, industry, defense as well as in the maritime area.

The Chinese premier arrived here Thursday to attend a series of meetings for East Asian leaders.

Wen will attend the 14th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), commemorating the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue, as well as the 14th summit between ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea and the sixth East Asia Summit.

Launched in 2005, the 18-member east Asian summit, includes ten ASEAN countries, China, Japan, ROK, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2011)