VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign ministers from ASEAN member countries and China gathered in China's capital of Kunming yesterday, Jan 25, to discuss measures to expand relations in various fields.


Representatives of China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pose for group photos during the opening ceremony of ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 25, 2011. The participants will exchange views on their 20th anniversary of dialogue, China-ASEAN free trade zone and cooperation of East Asia during the meeting. (Xinhua/Lin Yiguang)
At the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, participants also reviewed important development steps in the relations between ASEAN and China over the past 20 years and discussed measures to enhance mutual understanding and trust, as well as strengthening comprehensive strategic co-operative relations between ASEAN and China to promote peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.


Foreign ministers agreed that the two sides should actively implement the ASEAN-China action plan during the 2011-2015 period, which was adopted at the ASEAN-China Summit in Ha Noi in October last year, the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, as well as co-operative programmes and projects in several fields.


The ministers stressed the importance of effectively implementing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), which contributes to peace and stability in the region.


ASEAN and China are looking to boost co-operation in dealing with issues of common concern such as non-traditional security, climate change and diseases, as well as increase co-operation at regional and international multi-lateral forums.

The group discussed potential opportunities for co-operation between ASEAN and China that are congruent with the results from the linkage survey that was conducted by ASEAN Foreign Ministers along R3A road from Thailand's Chiang Rai province to Laos' Louang Nam Tha province and to Kunming in China.


The ministers stressed the importance of increasing co-operation and linkage between ASEAN member countries and China in the fields of economy, finance, infrastructure development, transportation, information telecommunications, tourism, education and cultural exchanges.

Vietnamese deputy foreign minister Dao Viet Trung highlighted the development of ASEAN-China relations and affirmed that Viet Nam, as co-ordinator of the ASEAN-China dialogue during the 2009-12 period, would chair and co-ordinate the implementation of a number of activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-China relations.


Viet Nam will continue to make active and constructive contributions to the development of ASEAN-China relations comprehensively, he said. The participants affirmed to work closely to carry out activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership in 2011, including the organisation of the ASEAN-China Summit on the occasion of the 19th ASEAN Summit in Indonesia later this year.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News