The cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the most successful and dynamic model in the Asia-Pacific, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday. [Special coverage]
The minister said in 2018, China will continue to put the ties with ASEAN high on its agenda of international cooperation and looks to upgrade the strategic partnership and build a closer community of shared future with ASEAN.
Wang made the remarks at a news conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress.
Wang laid out three priorities: drafting a 2030 blueprint of China-ASEAN strategic partnership with ASEAN, fostering more cooperation programs in new fields, and forging a new platform for cooperation, further cultivating the Lancang-Mekong economic development belt and build a cooperation framework with the eastern part of ASEAN's growth area.
"In the last 15 years, the China-ASEAN cooperation has gone from strength to strength and delivered rich fruits," Wang said.
China has remained the largest trading partner with ASEAN for 9 consecutive years. Last year, the bilateral trade exceeded $500 billion and the two-way visits totaled 40 million.
