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series of meetings for East Asian leaders is to be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, next week. What theme the meetings will focus on and where they will lead East Asia cooperation merits our special attention.

The international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes against the backdrop of in-depth development of world multi-polarization and economic globalization and the constant evolution of cultural diversity and social informatization.

With the world having increasingly closer interconnections and ever growing interdependence, global cooperation is becoming ever more multifaceted and all-dimensional, which all strengthen the trends of peace, development, cooperation and win-win. Meanwhile, it is not a peaceful world yet. Regional unrests and conflicts take place from time to time. Food security, energy and resource security, cyber security, climate change and other global non-traditional security issues are even more pressing.

However, East Asia remains generally stable, with regional cooperation booming and its global status constantly rising. The participating countries are attaching more importance to, and increasing constant involvement in, East Asian cooperation, proactively exploring its future direction and coming up with many initiatives.

These efforts have not only reflected the will of the parties to advance East Asian cooperation, but also provided food for thought on what to make of it.

We need to have historical depth and a global vision to view East Asia cooperation in a comprehensive manner. Today'€™s development achievements of most East Asian countries stepped from the termination of colonial regimes and were accelerated upon casting off the shadows of the Cold War.

Through arduous explorations, East Asian countries have found the development paths that suit their national conditions and wholeheartedly focused on development and improving livelihood of the people. They uphold the spirit of opening up, cooperation and win-win in jointly advancing regional cooperation and common prosperity.

In comparison to its past, East Asia is at its best development stage. Compared to other regions of the world, East Asia has an admirable development momentum and cooperation environment. Dialogue and cooperation has become the main stream of interstate relations.

It is undeniable that East Asia is currently challenged by increasing pressure on economic growth and intertwining traditional and non-traditional security threats that have historical roots, like the colonial regime and the Cold War, as well as new problems arising from development. We should tackle these issues with no evasion or exaggeration, but rather, jointly face and address them through pragmatic negotiation and cooperation based on understanding the overall situation.

As a major country in East Asia, China has large stakes in the welfare and safety of the region. It is an important participant and contributor in East Asia cooperation and always prioritizes development. It has established with the ASEAN member states the biggest free trade area among developing countries to promote regional trade and investment, actively engaged in regional cooperation on disaster prevention and mitigation with ASEAN, partnered ASEAN+3 countries in advancing the Multilateralization of the Chiang Mai Initiative and establishing emergency rice reserves to preserve regional financial and food security.

China has also actively engaged in East Asia Summit (EAS) cooperation and proposed drafting the Plan of Action to implement the Phnom Penh Declaration on the EAS Development Initiative. We advocate a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable Asian security concept. We have participated in the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defense Ministers'€™ Meeting-Plus and other regional security cooperation moves to protect peace and stability in the region.

East Asian cooperation is facing historical opportunities. Although the negative impacts of the post-financial crisis are still lingering, East Asian economic development is generally steady and getting better. The structural adjustments of its major economies are advancing steadily and new growth points and industrial structures are gradually taking shape creating new opportunities for East Asian cooperation.

In 2015, the establishment of the ASEAN Community and conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will lead the East Asia integration into a brand-new development phase. The development space for East Asian cooperation will be further expanded, with even more vitality and stronger momentum.

China is comprehensively deepening its reform, expanding opening up and working hard to realize the two centenary goals and the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. For that purpose, a peaceful and stable neighboring environment is indispensable.

China not only needs to draw development vitality from in-depth engagement in regional cooperation but will be better able to benefit neighboring countries with its own development. Taking the path of peaceful development and adhering to the principle of amity, sincerity, sharing in prosperity and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy, China will continue to deepen East Asian cooperation on the foundation of China-ASEAN cooperation and by utilizing ASEAN+3 cooperation as the main vehicle for its healthy and steady development.

To implement the China-ASEAN '€œ2+7 Cooperation Framework'€, China will further engage in closer high-level exchanges with ASEAN, explore the signing of the treaty of good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation with ASEAN countries, advance negotiations on upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, strengthen cooperation with the countries along the Mekong River, as well as build the 21st century maritime silk road.

China will continue to push forward ASEAN+3 cooperation in areas of finance, food, maritime cooperation, connectivity, energy, social and cultural affairs, adhere to the position of EAS as a leader-led strategic forum and deepen its cooperation in the six priority areas.

On the issue of the South China Sea, China has been a persistent protector of its national sovereignty and a strong defender of peace and stability in the South China Sea. China supports and advocates the '€œdual-track approach'€ proposed by ASEAN countries, i.e. relevant disputes being addressed by countries directly concerned through friendly consultations and negotiations in a peaceful way, and peace and stability in the South China Sea being jointly maintained by China and ASEAN countries.

China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to comprehensively and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC), and push for the early conclusion of a code of conduct of the parties in the South China Sea on the basis of consensus. The Eighth Senior Officials'€™ Meeting on the implementation of the DoC was held in Bangkok one week ago and reached important consensus, which will give strong impetus to the dialogue and cooperation on the South China Sea.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the initiation of the five principles of peaceful coexistence and next year we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Bandung conference. The spirit of sovereign equality, common security, common development, cooperation and win-win initiated 60 years ago is still shining the light of East Asian wisdom, bearing the East Asian ideal and guiding the development of East Asia.

It is our responsibility to uphold the spirit of history, stick to the theme of development, continue to deepen cooperation and jointly build a brighter future for East Asia.