SINGAPORE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao hailed on Tuesday China's cooperation with the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the recent years.

Wen made the remarks in a speech at the 11th China-ASEAN Summit, which focuses on expanding cooperation between the two sides in five priority areas to strengthen their strategic partnership and elevate their win-win relations and common development to a new height.

In the speech, Wen said over the past year, guided by the Joint Statement issued at the Commemorative Summit Marking the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, China and ASEAN countries have made new achievements in good neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

On diplomatic policy, Wen said "We have maintained high-level exchange of visits, and intensified dialogue on policy, thus enhancing mutual understanding and trust. We have continued consultations on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and are resolved to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea."

Referring to trade cooperation, Wen said "We have accelerated the building of the free trade area. On the basis of implementing the Agreement on Trade in Goods and the Agreement on Trade in Services, we are actively engaged in the negotiation on investment agreement."

He said China-ASEAN trade is expected to reach 190 billion U.S. dollars this year and exceed 200 billion dollars next year. Mutual investment has reached 45.4 billion dollars in accumulative terms. China and ASEAN are now each other's fourth largest trading partners.

"We have signed the China-ASEAN Maritime Transport Agreement and adopted the China-ASEAN Aviation Cooperation Framework. We are making continued efforts to build the Kunming-Singapore Rail Link and the Greater Mekong Information Superhighway. All these have greatly facilitated bilateral exchanges and cooperation," Wen added.

Wen also said both sides are implementing the cooperation initiatives adopted at the Tenth 10+1 Summit early this year and have carried out fruitful cooperation in information system in rural areas, youth exchanges, media exchanges, cultural human resources development, environmental protection, quality inspection and food safety, avian flu prevention and control, disaster management and peace-keeping.

"Our cooperation in key areas such as agriculture, science and technology, education and culture has constantly grown. The 4th China-ASEAN Expo and the Business and Investment Summit were successfully held," he said.

Wen said China and ASEAN countries have enhanced cooperation inregional and international organizations, saying "We have cooperated closely and supported one another at 10+3, East Asia Summit, ARF, APEC, UN, WTO and other regional and international organizations to promote peace, stability and development in both Asia and the world."

Wen arrived here on Sunday for an official visit to Singapore. During his stay here, he will also attend the 11th ASEAN plus Three summit, the11th China-ASEAN summit, the third East Asia summit and the eighth annual meeting of leaders of China, Japan and South Korea.