In similar vein, addressing the 5'h ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on GMS Cooperation and Development in August 2003 in Kunmin g, Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan -stated: "The ASEAN-GMS cooperation mechanism is a major part of economic co_operation between China and each of the ASEAN members, and is also a substantial action in constructing the China-ASEAN FTA" (Economic Daily, 8 Janua1y 2003).