Premier Li Keqiang attended the ASEAN Ten Plus Three meeting, joining leaders of Southeast Asian nations, as well as President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

He said the upcoming establishment of the ASEAN Community will provide a new engine for cooperation among ASEAN plus 3 member countries.

Premier Li Keqiang highlighted economic momentum in East Asia amid a gloomy world economy.

Premier Li Keqiang (front) attends the 18th ASEAN-China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov 21, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

“The world is faced with serious challenges. International organizations have repeatedly lowered their economic growth rate projections, and some economies are under downward pressure and inflation pressure. Against this background, the East Asian economy has kept an upward trend and remained one of the most dynamic economies in the world. This fine situation should be attributed to the peaceful and stable environment and the dedication of the governments in the region to economic development and the improvement of their people’s livelihood,” he said.

The Premier said ASEAN integration this year would fuel development in the region.

“The sixth China-Japan-ROK Leaders Meeting, held in ROK not long ago, has made contributions to the development of the relationship among the three countries. The ASEAN Community to be established soon will lift cooperation among ASEAN countries to a new level. These two things will provide new impetus for the cooperation among ASEAN 10+3 member countries,” he said.

But the regional development is not free from concerns...he warned regional conflicts, terrorism, and natural disasters hinder development, stressing a need for a peaceful and stable environment in the region as the basis for growth.