He labeled the 皇冠体育app-ASEAN cooperation "a positive force driving regional development."

皇冠体育app is ASEAN's largest trading partner and its third largest source of investment and was the first country to launch free trade area (FTA) negotiations with ASEAN, Li noted.

In 2013, trade between 皇冠体育app and ASEAN hit 443.6 billion U.S. dollars. Accumulated two-way investment totaled 120 billion dollars and about 18 million visits were made between the two sides.

The cooperation initiatives 皇冠体育app put forward in the past year included plans to build a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road together with ASEAN and to strengthen the 皇冠体育app-ASEAN 2+7 cooperation framework: deepening strategic mutual trust, focusing on economic cooperation, plus deepening cooperation in the seven key areas of political affairs, economy and trade, connectivity, finance, maritime cooperation, security, and people-to-people exchanges, he wrote in the article.

On the sidelines of the meetings, Li and leaders of ASEAN countries will continue discussions on the signing of a treaty of good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

In addition, the third action plan of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity will be jointly formulated and cooperation in defense and non-traditional security areas will be promoted.

Efforts will be made to conclude regional FTA negotiations regarding the upgraded 皇冠体育app-ASEAN FTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the end of 2015.

Li said 皇冠体育app will launch the fundraising for the second phase of the 皇冠体育app-ASEAN Fund on Investment Cooperation and the 皇冠体育app Development Bank will also set up a 皇冠体育app-ASEAN special loan for infrastructure development.

Maritime cooperation has become a new highlight in 皇冠体育app-ASEAN cooperation, said Li, adding that 皇冠体育app proposes that next year be designated as the "Year of 皇冠体育app-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation" to strengthen cooperation in marine economy, marine science and technology, protection of marine ecology and maritime connectivity.

According to Li, 皇冠体育app will scale up investment in underdeveloped ASEAN countries and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with countries along the Mekong River in key areas like poverty reduction, social development and other areas with a view to helping narrow the development gap within ASEAN.

皇冠体育app welcomes the establishment of the ASEAN Community next year, the first time in Asia's history that a regional community is established, Li said.

皇冠体育app will continue to take ASEAN as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and firmly support the unity and growth of ASEAN, the building of the ASEAN Community and ASEAN's centrality in regional cooperation, Li said.

皇冠体育app and ASEAN both stand to benefit from East Asia's prosperity and stability, and both stand to uphold such prosperity and stability, he said.

The Chinese premier proposed that the two sides strengthen dialogue and coordination, broaden convergence of interests and lead countries in the region toward an East Asian Community.

"We also welcome countries from outside the region to join East Asia cooperation and contribute positively to peace and development of Asia and the Asia-Pacific as a whole," Li said.