CRI听力：Chinese Premier Leaves for East Asia Meetings

Anchor:
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has arrived in Thailand to attend the East Asia Summit and related meetings.

During these meetings, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are likely to sign a free trade agreement, capping its long-running negotiation.

Zhang Cheng has more.

Reporter:
Wen Jiabao's trip over the weekend will be highlighted by a series of meetings in the seaside resort Pattaya.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue.

"China will work with other participants to build Asian nations' confidence in development, promote pragmatic cooperation in East Asia, safeguard developing countries' interests and jointly survive the global financial crisis."

The Chinese premier will and offer proposals to boost East Asian cooperation.

Zhang Xuegang, a senior researcher with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, says China is capable of bringing confidence to Asian countries.

"China has huge foreign currency reserve, potential domestic market and relatively healthy financial system. Moreover, China is expected to have an 8 percent economic growth, and hopefully to be the first Asian country to shake off the financial crisis."

China and ASEAN have agreed to establish a free trade area by 2010.

During these meetings, leaders will conclude the Free Trade Agreement negotiation and sign a deal, which will favor nearly 2 billion populations around the Asia.

Zhang Xuegang gives high praise to the agreement that ensures an open market amid the global financial turmoil.

"This agreement indicates that China always pushes forward the cooperation with the ASEAN members based on mutual respect and justice. China will fight against protectionism and make efforts to create an open market during the credit crunch."

China and ASEAN have established a strategic partnership aiming at peace and prosperity. Member states have cooperated in eleven major fields such as agriculture, information and communication, tourism and human resources exploitation.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups ten members of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Zhangcheng, CRI News.