Thaindian News

Beijing, Jan 8 (IANS) China wants to strengthen relations with Asian countries in 2012 by enhancing political trust and expanding common interests, a minister said Sunday.The regional situation will continue to undergo profound changes in 2012, posing challenges for China’s diplomatic initiatives, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said.

To handle differences, China will enhance political trust and expand common interests with countries in the region, Liu said in an interview with Xinhua.

It will create a favourable environment for China’s economic growth and contribute to peace in Asia and the world, he added.

There will be important meetings between Chinese leaders and their counterparts from other Asian countries in 2012, he said.

The Seoul Nuclear Summit, the BRICS Summit in India, the Asia-Europe Meeting in Laos and the East Asia Summit in Cambodia are some of the platforms where they would meet, Liu said.

“We will take the opportunities of high-level visits, strategic dialogues and exchange mechanisms at various levels to enhance strategic coordination and mutual understanding with Asian countries,” he said.

China will continue to play a constructive role in resolving hot regional issues, and will properly settle existing differences with neighbouring countries through dialogues.

China will speed up the building of an inter-connected infrastructure network, boost regional financial cooperation and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in neighbouring countries, among others, he said.

China also plans to set up more Chinese cultural centres in Asian countries to cement educational and cultural exchanges with neighbouring countries, he added.