Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a congratulatory letter to Singapore, the country currently chairing the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), on Wednesday to celebrate the bloc's 40th anniversary.

In his letter to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Premier Wen congratulated ASEAN nations on behalf of the Chinese government and people, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the organization's founding.

In the past forty years, ASEAN has been making concerted efforts to promote economic, social and cultural development among its member states, protect regional peace and stability and push for regional cooperation, and in all these fields it has made great achievements, said Wen.

China has confidence in ASEAN, and hopes the bloc can fulfill its commitment to creating a community with economy, security and society as its three pillars by the year 2015, Wen added.

As ASEAN's good neighbor, good partner and good friend, China will always stand beside ASEAN countries, promote neighborly friendship, deepen regional cooperation, support ASEAN's integration process, work with the bloc to broaden comprehensive cooperation between the two sides, and jointly contribute to build a better Asia, the Chinese premier pledged.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2007)