For those who are keen to know how China's new leadership will steer the country's relations with neighboring countries, they should heed the message sent by Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday. Speaking at the 10th ASEAN-China Expo in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Li said China's commitment to maintaining good neighborly relations is not expediency but a long-term strategic choice.

Li said that China gives top priority to developing ties with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and supports its community building and leading role in East Asia cooperation.

Li's remarks, a tone-setter for the next decade of China-ASEAN ties, should help dispel any misgivings about how China will project its influence in the region.