Chinese President Xi Jinping today said that China stands ready to sign treaties of friendship and cooperation with all its neighbours to provide strong support for the development of bilateral relations as well as prosperity and stability in the region.   

Treaties of friendship have been signed with eight neighbouring countries and Beijing is holding discussions with ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), Xi said addressing the China sponsored Boao Forum for Asia annual conference held in the country's southern island of Hainan.   

"China stands ready to sign such a treaty with all its neighbours and to provide strong support for the bilateral relations as well as prosperity and stability in the region,"he said.   

Referring to an old Chinese proverb 'Close neighbours are better than distant relatives', Xi said that China is working actively to develop win-win cooperation with neighbours.   

About 15 world leaders, including Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena attended the meeting.