China, ASEAN to deepen strategic partnership

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The 19th China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Senior Officials' Consultation will be held in Beijing on Tuesday.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui and Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's permanent secretary for foreign affairs, will co-chair the meeting, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing on Monday.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership, said Hong.

He said the two sides will take this opportunity to further deepen and upgrade their strategic partnership, as well as promote their cooperation in the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, transportation connectivity, maritime affairs and people-to-people exchanges.

The consultation was launched in 1995 as an important annual political consultation mechanism for the two sides.

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