KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (AFP) - Japan said Friday it is seeking to forge a strategic partnership with the 10-member ASEAN to face common challenges including economic development and the fight against bird flu. Ten ASEAN foreign ministers, in a meeting with their Japanese counterpart Taro Aso, asked for continued development aid from Japan and reiterated their hope that Tokyo would improve its relationship with Beijing. Aso said Japan supports the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as a driver in "a vehicle of regional cooperation in East Asia." "Japan hopes that ASEAN would sit in the driver's seat to promote East Asian cooperation," Aso told the meeting, according to a Japanese diplomat. Along with traditional areas of cooperation, Aso said regional coordination was necessary to fight various new threats, such as bird flu. "Japan and ASEAN, as equal partners, must enhance and expand our open partnership," Aso said. "Our joint efforts would also benefit the entire region." Japan will offer "concrete assistance" to ASEAN on bird flu, Aso said, adding that details of the package would be disclosed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday. Earlier news reports said Japan would offer 100 million dollars to set up a fund to battle the disease and fight terrorism. Aso met ASEAN ministers ahead of next Wednesday's inaugural East Asia Summit, which will group the leaders of ASEAN as well as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. Japan wants to use the forum to confirm its partnership with ASEAN, Aso said. "The East Asia Summit, which may contribute to the building of the East Asian Community, is an important framework that should keep its open nature, rather than becoming an exclusive forum," he said. "It is important that at the East Asia Summit we stress the importance of observing international rules and universal values" such as human rights and the rule of law, he said. Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar expressed concern over the souring Sino-Japanese relationship due to Koizumi's repeated visits to a controversial Tokyo war shrine. China cancelled a customary meeting of foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea, which was expected on the sidelines of the ASEAN gathering. "The ASEAN plus three (Japan, China and South Korea) must continue to function as one of the important vehicles for building the East Asian Community," Syed Hamid was quoted by the Japanese diplomat as telling Aso. "Recent Japan-China relations have brought difficult aspects to the formation of the East Asian Community. We hope that Japan will do its utmost to improve the Japan-China relations," he reportedly said. "We hope Japan will continue to play a constructive role in East Asia." ASEAN leaders also called for more cooperation with Japan in areas including anti-terror measures, natural disaster preparedness, development issues and health, the diplomat said. "It is important that Japan fully and thoroughly engages ASEAN," Syed Hamid was quoted as saying. Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo expressed hope that Japanese official aid and direct investment, which sagged due to Japan's prolonged economic slump, would recover soon. Aso and ASEAN ministers also agreed that North Korea must give up its nuclear programs, the Japanese official said. hih/sls/mc/sm