ASEAN-China satisfied with bilateral ties, cooperation

PHNOM PENH, July 11 (Xinhua) -- ASEAN-China Post-Ministerial Conference was wrapped up here Wednesday, with both sides expressing satisfactions with their dialogue relations over the past two decades, said a joint statement issued after the meeting.

The meeting, co-chaired by Pham Binh Minh and Yang Jiechi, foreign ministers of Vietnam and China, was attended by all ASEAN foreign ministers.

"We are satisfied with the significant progress made within the framework of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations over the past 20 years," said the statement.

They were satisfied, in particular, with the implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN- China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity 2011-2015 in a wide range of areas of cooperation and through various programs of activities, it said.

The ministers welcomed the convening of the inaugural Meeting of the Joint Council of the ASEAN-China Center in Beijing on May 18, 2012 and expressed hope that the center will help promote trade, investment, tourism, education and cultural exchange between ASEAN and China.

The meeting also welcomed the appointment of China's first resident Ambassador to ASEAN, which would further enhance its cooperation and coordination with ASEAN.

Meanwhile, the Meeting noted the good progress in the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), including the adoption of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the DOC on 22 July 2011, said the statement.

"The Ministers further reaffirmed the importance of the DOC, which embodies the collective commitment of the ASEAN Member States and China in promoting peace, stability, and mutual trust and ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, and committed to fully and effectively implementing DOC, " it said.

The meeting also expressed appreciation of China's strong commitment to support the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.

Meanwhile, the meeting welcomed China's proposal to establish institutionalized communication with ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management, and the ministers looked forward to the signing of ASEAN-China Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Management Cooperation and the setting up of ASEAN-China Relief Material Reserve Pool.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sourced: shanghaidaily