NANNING, Sept. 16-- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli vowed on Tuesday to step up maritime cooperation with countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

While addressing the opening ceremony of the 11th China-ASEAN Expo in southern Chinese city Nanning, Zhang said ASEAN is a key region for building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Discussions are being held to make next year "the Year of China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation" while both continue pursuing stronger communication between maritime affairs departments, said Zhang.

He expressed hope in exploring the possibility of exchange and cooperation between maritime law enforcement agencies.

The two sides should step up efforts to build networks of maritime and river transport, high-speed roads, high-speed railways, aviation and telecom optical cable, and make these comprehensive connectivity networks safe and efficient, he added.