Chinese FM speaks of importance of cooperation with ASEAN

China and ASEAN state members have exerted joint efforts to make the ministerial meetings focus on dialogue and cooperation, Wang told the media after the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings were freshly concluded in Vientiane, Laos.

Cooperation between ASEAN and China lay a solid foundation for China to be part of regional cooperation, the foreign minister said, adding that this year marks the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relationship.

He affirmed that China attaches great importance to the role of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and actively participates in the dialogue and cooperation within the ARF framework.

China believes the ARF needs adopt the principle of trust building and step-by-step explore preventive diplomatic models based on consensus, he noted.

He stressed that all parties to the ARF should further promote dialogue and cooperation in a bid to increase mutual understanding and trust among countries in the region.

The ARF is a forum for dialogue on political and security issues of common interest and concern that contributes to trust building, cooperation for peace, and stability in the region.