Containers at a port in Jiangsu, China (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi ofthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Chinese State Councilorand Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed to further enhance ASEAN-China relations attheir meeting in Brunei on January 14.
Wang said the dynamic and fruitful China-ASEAN dialoguepartnership has become an important pillar for regional peace and stability,development and prosperity.
He noted China appreciates the important contribution madeby the ASEAN Secretariat in promoting the development of China-ASEAN ties andcooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of their dialoguerelations. Wang expressed his hope that both sides take this opportunity toorganize a series of commemorative events, implement the five-year action plan,elevate their relations, and build a closer ASEAN-China community with a sharedfuture.
The official said China is willing to work with ASEAN toimprove the level of cooperation in public health, carry out COVID-19 vaccinecooperation with more ASEAN countries, work together with ASEAN countries tobuild a blue economy partnership, jointly make the ASEAN-China Year ofSustainable Development Cooperation a success, among other areas.
Wang emphasised that China will continue to support the workof the ASEAN Secretariat, strengthen the China-ASEAN cooperation fund, adhereto the ASEAN centrality, and stand firmly with bloc.
Lim said the ASEAN-China relations are of great significanceto ASEAN. He thanked China for its strong support to ASEAN’s fight against theCOVID-19 pandemic. He hoped that both sides would seize the opportunity of the30th anniversary of the dialogue relations to further elevate the ties.
Lim said that this year ASEAN will focus on povertyreduction, disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as sustainabledevelopment, and is willing to strengthen cooperation and capacity buildingwith China in relevant areas to help achieve the United Nation’s 2030 Agendafor Sustainable Development.
ASEAN is committed to maintaining a free, open andrules-based free trade system and supports its member nations in deepeningcooperation with China to accelerate regional economic recovery, he added./.
VNA
