HANOI, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a four-point proposal on Friday for strengthening cooperation in priority areas between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and South Korea (ASEAN Plus Three).

The ASEAN Plus Three cooperation has emerged from severe tests stronger and its status as the main vehicle of East Asian cooperation has been further enhanced, Wen told leaders at the 13th ASEAN plus Three Summit.

"Stronger ASEAN Plus Three cooperation is essential to the revitalization of East Asia," he said.

FIRSTLY, ACCELERATION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF EAST ASIA FREE TRADE AREA

The two sides should enhance coordination to accelerate the establishment of East Asia Free Trade Area (FTA), which will not only help shore up confidence and cement the region's momentum of economic growth, but also is of strategic importance in raising its overall economic competitiveness, Wen said.

As the lead sherpa of the ASEAN Plus Three business cooperation, China has put forward the roadmap for ASEAN Plus Three trade facilitation for the next five years, Wen said.

"China will consult with other parties and propose specific measures to further advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation within the region," he said.

The premier announced that China will contribute an additional 1 million U.S. dollars to the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Fund to facilitate the building of the East Asia FTA.

With the China-ASEAN, Japan-ASEAN, South Korea-ASEAN FTAs in place, Wen pointed out, the building of China-Japan-South Korea should move faster.

The three countries have decided to sign a tripartite investment agreement as soon as possible and to complete the joint FTA study involving the government, industry, and academia by 2012, Wen said, adding that the three should provide stronger political support and push forward the endeavor with an active and pragmatic approach.