China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a China-ASEAN center and two MOUs on cooperation on intellectual property rights and technological standards.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (7th L) and other leaders pose for a group photo during the 12th summit between ASEAN and China, Japan and South Korea (10+3) in Hua Hin, Thailand, on October 24, 2009. [Xinhua]

The MOUs were signed by representatives of China and the ASEAN countries, at ceremonies attended by national leaders, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit and related summits.

The MOU on establishing the ASEAN-China Center, to be based in Beijing, is designed to facilitate bilateral cooperation under the free trade area mechanism.

The other two MOUs are the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and China on Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property, and the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and China on Strengthening Cooperation in the Field of Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment.

China, and the ASEAN countries of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines signed a framework agreement on economic cooperation in the east ASEAN growth region.

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2009)