(Photo: CGTN)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Friday that China regards the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its top priority in its peripheral diplomacy.

Li made the remarks during a meeting with Philippine Foreign Minister Alan Peter Cayetano in Beijing.

Li said China is willing to throw full support behind the Philippines holding ASEAN's rotating presidency this year, and will support the Philippines in hosting the East Asian Leaders' Meetings, scheduled for later this year.

                                                                    ( Photo: Chinanews)

China will continue to promote dialogue and consultation, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly safeguard peace, stability and prosperity in the region under the framework of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and consultations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Li stated.

The Chinese premier added that China hopes the Philippines will play a positive role in promoting relations with ASEAN.

For his part, Cayetano expressed his condolences for the victims in the recent deadly landslide in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

He said the Philippines stands ready to expand cooperation with China in important fields, promote China-ASEAN ties, and send out positive signals in support of regional peace and stability.