China, ASEAN vow to achieve bigger in ties in next decade

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China, ASEAN vow to achieve bigger in ties in next decade

(Xinhua) 08:19, October 10, 2013

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct. 9 -- Leaders of China and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed here Wednesday to work for greater achievements of the two-way relationship over the next decade.

The pledge was made in a joint statement issued at the 16th China-ASEAN leaders' meeting in Brunei's capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the two-way strategic partnership.

In the statement, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and the ASEAN leaders also vowed to advance, enhance and deepen the ASEAN-China strategic partnership for mutual benefit, safeguard common interests, and "continue to fully and effectively implement the 2011-2015 Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity."

China reaffirms that a united, prosperous and dynamic ASEAN is its strategic interests, and views ASEAN as a priority in its relations with neighboring countries, the document said.

China is committed to consolidating and developing a strategic partnership with ASEAN and resolving differences with relevant ASEAN countries through peaceful means and friendly consultations, it said.

Meanwhile, ASEAN reaffirms that China's development is an important opportunity for this region, and that it supports China's peaceful development, the statement said.

The ASEAN countries reaffirm their adherence to one-China policy, it said.

The statement also reaffirmed further that Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) is a milestone document which embodies the collective commitment of ASEAN members and China to promote peace, stability and mutual trust, as well as peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

It welcomed the progress in the implementation of the DOC, the issuance of the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on the 10th Anniversary of the DOC in 2012, the adoption of the Guidelines to implement the DOC in 2011, and the commencement of official consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

The statement appreciated China as the first among ASEAN's dialogue partners to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), establish a Strategic Partnership and complete a Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN.

In addition, the document listed concrete steps to advance the China-ASEAN cooperation in political, security, economic, sociocultural, regional and international affairs.

Premier Li arrived here Wednesday, setting in motion his first visit to Southeast Asia since assuming premiership in March.

During his stay in Brunei, aside from attending the 16th China-ASEAN leaders' meeting, he will also join other regional leaders in the 16th ASEAN-China, Japan and South Korea leaders' meeting and the eighth East Asia summit.