On the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN + 3 cooperative process, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and leaders of the ASEAN countries, China, Japan and RoK approved the 2nd Joint Declaration on East Asian cooperation and the 2007 Working Plan ASEAN + 3 in order to orientate the strategies for the ASEAN +3 process and the East Asian cooperation, looking toward the long-term goal of the East Asian Community. The leaders also agreed to establish the ASEAN +3 Cooperation Fund to support the implementation of cooperative activities and projects.

China, Japan and RoK confirmed to continue supporting ASEAN's role in building the East Asian Community; cooperate and assist the Association in narrowing development gaps and building up the community through specific projects. To strengthen ASEAN + 3 cooperation, these Northeast Asian countries proposed many cooperative activities, including IT training, natural disaster rescue, solutions for non-traditional security issues.

At the ASEAN + 1 Summit with China, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and other leaders highly valued the dynamic developments of the ASEAN–China relationship and showed their delight at the realization of the Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN–China strategic partnership, especially in economy-trade, science-technology, and socio-culture.

With the Agreement on Trade and Services signed in early 2007 and the high growth rate of two-way trade turnover, the leaders were convinced that ASEAN and China will come to the establishment of the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area.

On the occasion, ASEAN and Chinese leaders signed a memorandum of understanding on Cooperation in Food Hygiene and Safety. They pledged to implement the Declaration of Conduct (DOC) on the East Sea for peace and stability in the region.

By Xuân Hồng