ASEAN nations have wrapped up their ten-plus-three meeting with dialogue partners China, Japan and South Korea, in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. This year marks the 25th anniversary of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN.
China’s foreign minister said most of the foreign ministers from 27 countries came to Vientiane with a desire for cooperation. China, ASEAN’s biggest trading partner, is seeking a closer ties with the bloc.
With bilateral trade reaching almost U.S.$500 billion last year. China and ASEAN are targeting to double the number to U.S.$1 trillion by 2020.
There is no doubt that such a strong economic link will bring about tangible benefits to all the countries involved. Leaders have called for more dialogue, and for cooperation to be even closer.
VIENTIANE, July 26, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi(C) speaks to the press after the meetings in Vientiane, capital of Laos, on July 26, 2016. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Tuesday that China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have exerted joint efforts to make the ministerial meetings focus on dialogue and cooperation. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun)
Wang Yi said, “China and ASEAN nations have agreed to jointly strive to boost cultural exchanges as the third pillar for their cooperation, besides the other two pillars—political-security dialogue, and trade and economic ties.”
The meetings also touched upon the South China Sea issues. They reached an important consensus to return to the right track of solving disputes through dialogue and consultation.
Wang also said, “ASEAN foreign ministers have made it clear that ASEAN as a whole will not take a position on the so-called arbitration case, which they believe is a bilateral issue between China and the Philippines.
“Hyping up the issue cannot solve the problem, but gives an excuse for countries outside the region to interfere with this regional issue.”
ASEAN and China have moved past these disputes, because a strengthened relationship and economic cooperation will bring about more pragmatic benefits to all involved.
China is willing to deepen relations in the finance sector and build a small-medium enterprise alliance with ASEAN in order to face the global challenges.
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