Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi said in Nanning Tuesday (Nov. 2) that the first-ever China-ASEAN Expo., beginning Wednesday, will boost trade, investment, economic and technology cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

Wu made the remarks during separate meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Laotian Prime Minister Boungnang Vorachit and Myanmar Prime Minister Soe Win, who were here to attend the Expo.

"The Expo, initiated by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, will offer a new platform for further developing cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in trade, investment, economy and technology, as well as projects and labor sources," Wu said.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is planning to establish free trade area with China by 2010, which will forge the third largest FTA worldwild, with a population of more than 1.7 billion.

The regional organization includes Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

"China and Cambodia have traditional friendship and witnessed great growth in economic and trade cooperation," Wu said.

She said that the Chinese government avalues China-Cambodia ties and will support Cambodian government's efforts in maintaining national security, ethnic solidarity and booming economy.

Cambodia attaches importance on its relations with China and will stick to the "one-China" policy, said Hun Sen. He also said that he hopes the Expo will promote trade between the two countries.

During her meeting with Boungnang Vorachit, Wu said that the two countries enjoy good cooperation and support each other in regional and international affairs. She said China expects the Laos, as rotating chairman of ASEAN, will play a more important role in promoting China-ASEAN ties.

Boungnang Vorachit said that his country will adhere to the "one-China" policy and contribute more to the development of bilateral trade and economic ties.

While meeting with Soe Win, Wu congratulated his appointment asprime minister, speaking highly of China-Myanmar ties. China has aconstant policy on Myanmar and hopes to witness the continuous peace and stability in Myanmar while improving the people's life, she said.

Soe Win said Myanmar will stick to the "one-China" policy, expecting to enhance cooperation with China on border trade, investment, natural source exploration and human source development. Myanmar-China trade was expected to hit 1.5 billion US dollars in the coming years, he said.

Wu also met with other ASEAN senior officials Tuesday afternoon.

Editor: Olivia