【正确答案】Today I feel more than happy to have the opportunity to gather together with leaders of nine ASEAN countries for the first time to discuss and explore the development of Chinese-ASEAN friendship and cooperation oriented toward the 21 st century. First of all, I wish to offer my warm congratulations to ASEAN on its 30th anniversary.
This meeting, I believe, marks the beginning of a new stage of development in Chinese-ASEAN relations.
With the purpose of engaging in active participation, broadening common ground, enhancing mutual trust and strengthening cooperation, I have come here to explore together with ASEAN leaders the objectives and guidelines for the development of our future relations.
At this important historical juncture on the eve of the new century, we should approach and handle our bilateral relations from a long-run strategic perspective and forge a Chinese-ASEAN good-neighborly partnership of mutual trust orientated toward the 21st century. This is not only in conformity with the trend of the times and in the fundamental interest of China and ASEAN countries, but also facilitates the establishment of a just and rational new international order and the advancement of the lofty cause of peace and development of Asia and the world at large.
Both the Chinese and the ASIAN people are industrious and courageous people full of wisdom. Since ancient times, they have created brilliant civilizations and built up fine cultural traditions full of Oriental character in their own lands, thus making important contributions to the progress of humanity. Joined together by mountains and rivers or facing each other across the sea, China and ASEAN countries have developed a profound traditional friendship among the people in the course of their age-old contacts and exchanges.
Profound changes have taken place in both China and ASEAN countries. Through a century-long's struggle and sacrifice, the Chinese people won their national liberation and established the New China. With decades of more efforts, they have built China into a socialist country with initial prosperity. Through protracted and arduous struggle, the people of ASEAN countries have also shaken off the yoke of colonialism, won their national independence and scored commendable achievements in their course of nation building.
The time-honored traditional friendship, similar historical experience and common desire for peace and economic development constitute an important basis both in history and at present for the enhancement of the good- neighborly relations of mutual trust and friendly cooperation between China and ASEAN countries. China has all along attached great importance to developing its relations with ASEAN and is in support of a positive role by ASEAN in regional and international affairs. In the past decade, China's relations with each ASEAN country and ASEAN as an organization have made considerable headway and reached a new level following the establishment of a Chinese-ASEAN partnership with full dialogue.
Looking into the 21st century, we are convinced that there lies an even brighter future for the development, prosperity, friendship and cooperation between China and ASEAN.