China Economy Weekly: Beijing-ASEAN Trade; Rare Earths “Not Bargaining Instrument”; 12th Five-Year Plan

China and ASEAN Trade: Premier Wen Jiabao, speaking at the 13th China-ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam has said China is determined to develop economic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Wen proposed that bilateral trade be increased to $500 billion by 2015, promising that China will make an effort to buy more from ASEAN countries. He also suggested setting up an Industrial Cooperation Mechanism within the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area framework to handle any problems and differences that arise.

Rare Earths “Not Bargaining Instrument”:  Beijing has said that it will not use rare earths as a diplomatic "bargaining tool", in response to challenges against its management of the vital metals.

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China Economy Weekly: Economic Restructuring; Interest Rates Rise Amidst Inflation Worries

China Restructuring Economy:  China is seeking breakthroughs in economic restructuring while maintaining stable and relatively fast economic growth, the central committee of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) said on Monday.

"China will further boost people's incomes, enhance social construction and deepen reform and opening-up," said the Party's communique. This would facilitate "substantial progress in transforming the economic development pattern, and markedly promote China's comprehensive national strength, international competitiveness and better shield against risks.

China's Goal for New Strategic Industries: Beijing has announced plans to develop new strategic industries, saying their value-added output of would account for 8% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2015 and 15% by 2020.

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