The 16th China-ASEAN leaders' meeting is underway in Brunei's capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah delivered the opening address, followed by a speech from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Premier Li stressed the importance of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) for China and praised achievements gained through the past "golden decade" of partnership.

Li said the China-ASEAN partnership had matured after ten years of close ties and concrete cooperation. But he said to further enhance the partnership, political consensus needed to be reached in two areas, including the promotion of strategic mutual trust and good-neighborly relations, and economic development that strives for win-win results.

Premier Li pledged to lift relations up to a high-level and comprehensive partnership. To reach this target, he offered seven recommendations to create a framework for cooperation over the next decade.

First, the two sides need to remain committed to building good-neighborly relations. Premier Li said China is ready to discuss a treaty that will offer a guideline for friendly cooperation.

Second, China and ASEAN need to strengthen security exchanges and cooperation. This would involve closer cooperation in disaster prevention and relief, cyber security, combating transnational crimes, joint law enforcement and other non-traditional security fields.

Third, an "upgraded version" of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area must be built. Premier Li set the ambitious goal of reaching $1 trillion in two-way trade by 2020.

Fourth is to step up infrastructure constructions to improve connectivity in the region. Premier Li proposed to establish an Asian infrastructure investment bank to provide a funding platform for ASEAN nations.

Fifth, China and ASEAN need to strengthen financial cooperation to expand areas like bilateral currency swaps, while also guarding against new risks.

Sixth is to work together toward stable maritime relations. The two sides should join in building the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century.

And finally, Premier Li urged further cultural exchanges. He pledged to tighten ties in the fields of culture, science and technology, and environmental protection.

Li emphasized that the two consensuses and seven recommendations proposed by China underlines the new leadership's political outlook on China-ASEAN partnership in the next decade.

A joint declaration to commemorate the ten year anniversary of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership was released after Wednesday's meeting.

(CNTV.cn October 10, 2013)