Comment on "China urges ASEAN to be independent" (China Daily, June 25)

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations need more unofficial forums to build trust. These forums should encourage creative thinking and allow rational criticism but avoid descending into conflicts. Although it is difficult to resolve some of the present problems, maybe tentative solutions can be found before arriving at an overall agreement in the future. Such forums may also include proper entertainment elements or sport events to build rapport. Let policymakers, intellects, business people and other areas of society join together to build harmonious relationships. The key point is how to manage such forums in order to get the best ideas out, and suppress severe disputes. A consensus of respecting the interests and standpoints of all parties will be of paramount importance to achieve this.

A reader, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 07/02/2012 page9)