BANGKOK, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting has delivered positive results which will bring closer cooperation between the two sides and benefit the region as a whole, said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Friday, Sihasak, who also serves as ASEAN SOM (Senior Official Meeting) leader of Thailand, spoke highly of the achievement made at the meeting, which came at the sideline of the 46th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Brunei this June. "It was a very important meeting for both sides. We are very pleased that the discussions which were very comprehensive, we talked about how to strengthen trade and economic ties, we also want to work together in areas that will benefit the region as a whole," said Sihasak.
Further promoting free trade in East Asia by extending ASEAN- China free trade agreement to the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) was also high on the agenda, he said.
Sihasak noted that the participants of the meeting had agreed to work together in building connectivity, especially in transportation, which will help increase trade and narrow the development gap within ASEAN. "(Connectivity) is important to promoting economic cooperation among ASEAN and between ASEAN and China, especially the southern part of China," he said.
In addition, the meeting called for expanded culture exchanges between the two sides. "We hope to see more people to people exchanges between Thais and Chinese,"said Sihasak.
Meanwhile, Sihasak stressed that both sides have pledged in this meeting to work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, "as it is important for the overall peace and stability in the region as a whole." "We feel important to adhere to the principles of peaceful solution for disputes, agree to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct of the South China Sea," said the Thai diplomat.
Thailand will host the High Level Forum on the 10th anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership in Bangkok early August. It will provide an opportunity for the two sides to discuss "the entire range of issues" in their strategic partnership, including trade, investment, cultural, education and some regional issues, according to Sihasak.
This forum is intended for both sides to take stock of the progress of their strategic partnership and to set the direction and course of their relations for the next 10 years and even beyond, he said. "I think the most importantly, we will be focusing on the future and how we can strengthen and advance our partnership with China," he added.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is invited to attend the forum's opening ceremony and it will be his second trip to Thailand in less than half a year after he took office. It is an indication of the importance the Chinese government attaches to China's relationship with Thailand and China's partnership with ASEAN, noted Sihasak.
The high-level Forum will be followed by China-ASEAN Commemorative Foreign Ministers' Meeting in August and ASEAN Summit in October. The senior Thai diplomat hoped that those meeting would "forge a vision" for the future of China-ASEAN strategic partnership. "It will show to the world that our partnership is going strong. We are capable of managing whatever issues there are in the relationship. We don't lose sight of our overall relationship and how important our relationship is, not only for our two sides, but the region as a whole," he said.
While hailing the "strong relationship" between Thailand and China, Sihasak said his country is very pleased to take up the responsibility as the country coordinator between China and ASEAN.
During its term as coordinator, Thailand is committed to advancing the China-ASEAN strategic partnership to promote regional peace and stability and bring economic prosperity for the peoples, according to Sihasak.
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