On October 25, 2009, the 4th East Asia Summit was held in Hua Hin, Thailand. The summit was attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, ROK President Lee Myung-bak, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and leaders of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The participating leaders exchanged views on regional cooperation and other issues of common concern.

Wen thanked the participating leaders for congratulating China on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He said China's relations with its neighboring countries have been growing mature and closer over the past six decades. China has participated in and witnessed the development process of East Asia cooperation growing out of nothing and going from strength to strength. East Asia has also become one of the most dynamic regions in terms of economic development. The fates of all countries in the region have never been so closely interlinked as they are now, which strongly pushes forward the South-South and South-North cooperation.

Wen said history tells us that only by respecting others, can one be respected; only by helping other countries, can a country be helped; and only by safeguarding and promoting common development, can a country achieve its own prosperity. Although China's overall national strength has grown substantially and its international status has been enhanced continuously, China still remains a developing country and is always an equal member in the big Asian family. We understand that friendly coexistence with neighboring countries for mutual benefit and win-win outcome is essential for a country to achieve its rightful status in the world and play its positive role. China will work along with other East Asian countries with the greatest sincerity, resolve and confidence to make unremitting efforts for common development, sustained development and harmonious development.

Wen proposed all countries in the region should, in line with the principles of mutual respect and good-neighborliness, seek common ground while reserving differences and make efforts to properly resolve their disputes in the interest of regional peace and stability. They should carry forward the spirit of strengthening cooperation to tide over the difficulties and join hands to tackle such challenges as the global financial crisis, climate change, energy and food security, disease and poverty, so as to push for sustained and sound development of the regional economy and society. They should, based on the idea of being all-embracing and learning from each other, promote diversity of civilization and harmonious coexistence. They should, with a spirit of openness and tolerance and in a step-by-step manner, work for consensus, deepen cooperation and move toward the long-term goal of establishing an East Asian community.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who chaired the meeting, said East Asian countries should push forward regional cooperation in an open and sustainable way with due respect for differences. They should work together to tackle the global financial crisis and other challenges. Currently East Asian countries should adopt further measures to stimulate the economic recovery and ensure financial stability, he said. Abhisit also called on the countries to promote infrastructure and inter-connectivity building, push for the establishment of the East Asia free trade area and fight against trade protectionism. Coordination should also be enhanced in efforts to reform the international financial system, he said.

The leaders at the summit exchanged views on tackling challenges such as the global financial crisis and climate change, and on strengthening cooperation in food and energy security, disaster prevention and mitigation, education and human resources development. Wen said China supports the East Asia Summit to advance exchange and cooperation in the above areas. Wen pledged government scholarships for an additional 2,000 candidates and 200 Master of Public Administration candidates from the developing countries at the summit in the next five years.

Following the meeting, Premier Wen and the ASEAN leaders witnessed the signing of the MOU on Establishing the ASEAN-China Centre, the MOU on ASEAN-China Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property and the MOU on Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation in the Field of Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment. Wen and Abhisit witnessed the signing of an agreement on financing for the Mekong River Bridge. Wen also attended the signing ceremony for a framework agreement on economic cooperation in the east ASEAN growth region between China and the ASEAN countries of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. All parties also jointly issued the Cha-am Hua Hin Statement on ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation on Food Security and Bio-energy Development, the Cha-am Hua Hin Statement on EAS Disaster Management and a joint press statement on the reconstruction of Nalanda University.