He made the remarks at the close-door formal opening of the Second Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

The minister noted that since its establishment one year ago as an official cooperation and dialogue mechanism, the ACD not only launched the Asia-wide cooperation and but also enhanced the Asian countries' sense of cooperation.

As the prime mover of the ACD's agricultural cooperation, China would like to share experience in agricultural development with Asian countries in an effort to advance regional agricultural development, Li Zhaoxing said.

On the future development of the ACD, Li said the mechanism of ACD, based on mutual understanding and trust, should focus on economic cooperation and coordination with other regional cooperative mechanisms so as to enhance cooperation and dialogues among Asian nations.

Being a member the ACD, China is committed to push forward cooperation among Asian countries and will host the third ACD ministerial meeting in June 2004, Li said.

Initiated by Thailand, the first ministerial meeting of ACD was held in June 2002 in Cha-am, in south Thailand.

(China Daily June 23, 2003)