China joins Treaty of Amity, Cooperation in Southeast Asia
( 2003-10-08 14:00) (Xinhua)
China formally joins the
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) on Wednesday after
foreign ministers of China and 10 ASEAN members signed a document on China's
accession to the treaty.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and ASEAN leaders witnessed the signing by Chinese
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and ASEAN foreign ministers on the document.
ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has expressed its hope
that China joins the treaty as a non-Southeast Asian country in recent years,
according to a press release from the Chinese delegation, which is attending a
series of ASEAN- related meetings.
In June 2003, the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) approved the
country's accession to he treaty.
Principles and purpose of the TAC conform to the five principles of peaceful
co-existence upheld by China, the press release said.
China's accession to the TAC is conducive to the long-term stability and
development of relations between China and ASEAN as well as the maintaining of
the region's peace and stability, it added.
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