Roundup: China eyes closer ties with SE Asian neighbors for stability, development

Chinese President Xi Jinping projected here Saturday a harmonious landscape of China's relations with Southeast Asian nations, where the countries work together to solve disputes, maintain stability and achieve common development.

China is capable of and confident in working with Southeast Asian nations to maintain peace and stability in South China Sea, and welcomes ASEAN members to board China's express train of development, Xi said in an address to about 450 teachers, students and officials at the National University of Singapore.

TRANQUILLITY AT SOUTH CHINA SEA

Xi said the situation in South China Sea is generally peaceful, thanks to the joint efforts by China and other coastal countries.

The freedom of navigation and overflight in South China Sea neither has been nor will be hindered, he said, stressing that China needs unimpeded passage in the body of water more than any other country does.

Noting that the South China Sea islands in disputes between China and other claimants have been Chinese territory since ancient times, Xi said Beijing shoulders inescapable responsibility to safeguard territorial sovereignty and legitimate maritime rights and interests.

Although some South China Sea islands over which China has sovereignty have been illegally occupied by others, Beijing has always insisted on settling the disputes through peaceful means, Xi said, while pointing out that peace and stability are both the starting points and the objectives of China's South China Sea policy.

China is dedicated to solving the disputes with other claimants through negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law.

"We are fully capable of and confident in working with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to maintain peace and stability in South China Sea," he said, adding that China welcomes outside countries to partake in the cause of Asian peace and development.

BRIGHT PROSPECT OF CHINA-ASEAN COOPERATION

According to Xi, the most important task facing Asia is to realize sustained and rapid development, which requires a peaceful environment in the first place.

Xi vowed China's determination to boost cooperation with ASEAN as well as its support to the growth of the Southeast Asian bloc.

By the end of the year, Xi said, the ASEAN Economic Community will be in place, which will be the first ever sub-regional economic community in Asia.

China will firmly support the establishment of the economic community, and back ASEAN's leading role in promoting regional cooperation in East Asia, Xi said.

Lauding the history and development of ASEAN, Xi said that neighborhood is the starting point of China's development initiatives such as the "Belt and Road" and vision of building a community of common destiny.

As Xi put it, China's neighboring countries are the primary cooperation partners under the Belt and Road Initiative and should be the first to enjoy the benefits of it.

The China-proposed initiative is dedicated to development, cooperation and openness, and characterized by equality and mutual benefit on the basis of consultation, cooperation and sharing.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013 and comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes. Endi