On the afternoon of October 28, 2002, Director-General Fu Ying of the Department of Asian Affairs and Counsellor Wang Xiaolong of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences held a briefing at the International Press Center on Premier Zhu Rongji's upcoming visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia and his attending of the 6th ASEAN+ China, Japan and ROK (Republic of Korea) (10+3) Summit, ASEAN+ China (10+1) Summit and Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Cooperation (GMS) Summit, and took questions on China and ASEAN Free Trade Area, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues.

Fu first said that the theme of the 10+1 Summit is to deepen China-ASEAN cooperation. At the 10+1 Summit, the Chinese leader will focus in his speech on the establishment of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, cooperation on the development of the Mekong River region, and cooperation in the non-traditional security fields.

Moreover, Premier Zhu will put forward some proposals to promote China-ASEAN cooperation in key fields. China and ASEAN have reached agreement on the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation. During the upcoming summit, the senior official of China's Ministry of Agricuture and the Secretary-General of ASEAN will officially sign the document. Zhu will also propose to convene a China-ASEAN information minister's meeting.

On the 10+3 Summit, Fu said that Premier Zhu will focus on the theme "Promoting East Asia Cooperation" and put forward policy proposals on deepening 10+3 cooperation, which are as follows: First, deepen economic and financial cooperation and consolidate the results of 10+3 cooperation. Second, expand cooperation in political and security fields, and open a new situation in 10+3 all-directional cooperation. Third, further strengthen cooperation mechansim building and explore the future direction of 10+3 cooperation. Fourth, promote the participation of all circles of society. On that basis, Zhu will propose some concrete cooperation initiatives, including an Asia debt reduction plan.

On the meeting between Chinese, Japanese and ROK leaders, she said that in order to promote cooperation between the three sides, Zhu will propose to consider such fields as economy and trade, information industry, environmental protection, human resources development and cultural cooperation as key fields in future cooperation, and put forward proposals on cooperation on environmental protection between the three countries.

Wang Xiaolong said that Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Cooperation (GMS) was initiated by the Asian Development Bank in 1992. Member states are China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. GMS Summit will be held on November 3rd in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This will be the highest level meeting in the history of cooperation on the Mekong River development. The theme of the Summit is "Making it happen: A Common Strategy on Cooperation for Growth, Equity and Prosperity in the Greater Mekong Sub-region". Topics on the agenda are as follows: First, review achievements in the past decade of cooperation, including cooperation principles and key issues. Second, decide upon the cooperation prospects and commitments in the next decade, including basic ideas on cooperation and the role of GMS. Third, build partnerships, including raising funds and the role of Asian Development Bank. The Summit will adopt two important documents, namely, Summit Declaration and Development Matrix.

He said that Premier Zhu will deliver a keynote speech at the Summit, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation in the sub-region, making it clear that cooperation should follow the principles of mutual benefits and seeking common ground while shelving differences, expressing China's commitment and active attitude in participating in the sub-regional cooperation, and introducing the concrete results China has achieved taking part in the cooperation.

He said that China will acceed to the Framework Agreement for the Facilitation of Cross-border Movement of Goods and People and sign the Intergovernmental Agreement on Power Interconnection and Trade. China will also provide interest-free loans and grants for the Kunming-Ching Rai Road Improvement Project, which is a key GMS project. At the Summit, Zhu will also put forward plans and key projects for China's participation in GMS cooperation, announce hosting training courses on information technology, the customs and trade facilitation, and issue China's report on GMS countries.

Deputy Director-General Liu Jianchao of the Information Department hosted the briefing.