HONG KONG, Dec. 13 -- Cambodia, along with other ASEAN members, will make joint efforts to create an upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and contribute to the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, said a senior Cambodian official at the First ASEAN Development Forum here Saturday.

Keo Chandara, deputy director-general of the General Department of the government-run Agence Kampuchea Presse, told participants at the one-day forum that the Cambodian government has pledged its support for the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank initiated by China and will contribute to connectivity between China and ASEAN and other regions as well.

To that end, the two sides should find an appropriate way to build and strengthen mutual trust and confidence by establishing as much as possible channels and task forces in addition to the existing mechanisms to closely working together, he said.

He noted that as China and ASEAN had enjoyed a "golden decade" in their relations since they forged a strategic partnership in 2003 and this year marks the beginning of a "diamond decade," the two sides will jointly work to build a community of "common destiny" to share peace and prosperity.

"I strongly believe that China and ASEAN would work together to cope with risks and challenges and strive to maintain stable economic cooperation and healthy development, which are the common and supreme interests of all the parties," he said.

He urged both sides to further enhance mutual understanding, deepen political mutual trust and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to contribute to the development of China-ASEAN relations, particularly deepening China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

On maritime disputes, he said he remained optimistic that all the parties involved could find a way to defuse the ongoing tensions and narrow the differences and resolve the issue by amicable and peaceful means.

"I also hope that China and ASEAN countries have the ability and wisdom to transform the dispute area into an area of peace, friendship and cooperation and will jointly upholding peace and stability in the region as well," he added.

China supports and advocates the "dual-track approach" for dealing with the South China Sea issue, namely, relevant disputes being addressed by countries directly concerned through consultations and negotiations in a peaceful way, and peace and stability in the South China Sea being jointly maintained by China and ASEAN countries.

The First AEAN Development Forum, themed "Building Mutual Trust and a Community of Common Destiny," drew the participation of government officials, experts and business leaders from the 10 AEAN countries, China's mainland and Hong Kong.