今天，我有机会同东盟九国的领导人首次会晤，探讨发展中国与东盟各国面向二十一世纪的友好合作，感到十分高兴。首先，我对东盟成立三十周年，表示热烈的祝贺。

Today I feel more than happy to have the opportunity to gather together with leaders of nine ASEAN countries for the fires time to discuss and explore the development of Chinese-ASEAN friendship and cooperation oriented toward the 21st century. First of all, I wish to offer my warm congratulations to ASEAN on its 30th anniversary.

我相信，这次会晤将标志着中国与东盟关系进入一个新的发展阶段。

This meeting, I believe, marks the beginning of a new stage of development in Chinese-ASEAN relations.

我这次来，是抱着积极参与、扩大共识、增进互信、加强合作的目的，与东盟各国领导人共同探讨双方未来的发展目标和指导方针。

With the purpose of engaging active participation broadening common ground, enhancing mutual trust and strengthening cooperation, I have come here to explore together with ASEAN leaders the objectives and guidelines for the development of our future relations.

我们正处在世纪之交的重要时刻，应该以长远的战略眼光审视和处理双方关系，建立中国与东盟面向二十一世纪的睦邻互信伙伴关系。这不仅符合时代的潮流，有利于中国和东盟各国的根本利益，也有利于推动建立公正合理的国际新秩序，有利于促进亚洲与世界和平与发展的崇高事业。

At this important historical juncture on the eve of the new century, we should approach and handle our bilateral relations from a long-rang strategic perspective and forge a Chinese-ASEAN good-neighborly partnership of mutual trust orientated toward the 21st century. This is not only in conformity with the trend of the times and in the fundamental interest of China and ASEAN countries, but also facilitates the establishment of a just and rational new international order and the advancement of the lofty cause of peace and development of Asia and the world at large.

中国人民和东盟各国人民都是勤劳勇敢、聪明智慧的人民，自古以来就在自己的土地上创造了灿烂的文明，形成了具有东方色彩的优秀文化传统，为人类的进步作出了重要的贡献。中国与东盟各国或山水相连，或隔海相望，在悠久的交往中，人民之间形成了深厚的传统友谊。

Both the Chinese and the ASEAN people are industrious and courageous people full of wisdom. Since ancient times, they have created brilliant civilizations and built up fine cultural traditions full of Oriental character in their own lands, thus making important contributions to the progress of humanity. Joined together by mountains and rivers or facing each other across the sea, China and ASEAN countries have developed a profound traditional friendship among the people in the course of their age-old contacts and exchanges.

中国和东盟国家都发生了沧海巨变。中国人民经过一个世纪的奋斗和牺牲，实现了民族解放，建立了新中国，又经几十年的努力，把自己国家建设成为一个初步繁荣昌盛的社会主义国家。东盟国家人民经过长期的艰苦奋斗，挣脱殖民主义的枷锁，赢得民族独立，自建设自己国家的过程中取得了令人称道的成就。

Profound changes have taken place in both China and ASEAN countries. Through a century-long struggle and sacrifice, the Chinese people won their national liberation and established the New China. With decades of more efforts, they have built China into a socialist country with initial prosperity. Through protracted and arduous struggle, the people of ASEAN countries have also shaken off the yoke of colonialism, won their national independence and scored commendable achievements in their course of nation building.

悠久的传统友谊，相似的历史遭遇，维护和平与发展经济的共同愿望，是加强中国与东盟各国睦邻互信、友好合作的历史和现实的重要基础。中国历来十分重视发展与东盟的关系，支持东盟在地区和国际事务中发挥积极作用。近十年来，中国与东盟各国和东盟组织的关系取得了长足进展。特别是中国与东盟成为全面对话伙伴以来，双方的关系发展到了一个新的水平。

The time-honored traditional friendship, similar historical experience and common desire for peace and economic development constitute and important basis both in history and at present for the enhancement of the good-neighborly relations of mutual trust and friendly cooperation between China and ASEAN countries. China has all along attached great importance to developing its relations with ASEAN and is in support of a positive role by ASEAN in regional and international affairs. In the past decade, China’s relations with each ASEAN country and ASEAN as an organization have made considerable headway and reached a new level following the establishment of a Chinese-ASEAN partnership with full dialogue.

展望二十一世纪，可以坚信，中国与东盟各国的发展、繁荣和友好合作，前景将更加美好。

Looking into the 21st century, we are convinced that there lies an even brighter future for the development, prosperity, friendship and cooperation between China and ASEAN.