Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Saturday attended the first plenary session of China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting and the second meeting of the China-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Tripartite Committee.

Li Zhaoxing said at the China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) foreign ministers' meeting that it is the Chinese government's strategic choice to strengthen the strategic partnership with ASEAN.

Li said that with the common efforts of the two sides, China-ASEAN ties have been developing in an overall, fast and practical manner and have achieved fruitful results.

ASEAN foreign ministers positively appraised China's great economic achievements and constructive role in international affairs.

ASEAN foreign ministers also spoke highly of China's good-neighborly policy and the two sides expressed satisfaction over the advancement of China-ASEAN relations.

The two sides agreed to further expand consensus and promote mutual understanding, in an effort to deepen the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

ASEAN foreign ministers all reiterated their adherence to the one-China policy and the Chinese foreign minister expressed appreciation for that.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues.

During the second meeting of the China-Japan-Republic of Korea Tripartite Committee, Li said China supports the holding of tripartite committee meeting on a regular basis to plan for and coordinate the cooperation among the three countries.

He said China will further support the advancement of East Asian cooperation with the cooperation between ASEAN and China-Japan-ROK as the main channel.

Li added that China will support ASEAN's leading role in the East Asian cooperation process.

He said China is willing to make further study of the future development orientation and ways of East Asia's cooperation along with all related parties.

Foreign ministers of the three countries agreed to submit the Strategy for Cooperative Action of China, Japan and the ROK and the Report on the Progress of Cooperation among China, Japan and the ROK to the meeting of their leaders.

The foreign ministers also exchanged views on the current regional and international issues, including the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula and the reform of the United Nations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Somsavat Lengsavad on Saturday evening.

The two sides positively appraised the sound development momentum of the comprehensive bilateral cooperation relations.

They also pledged to push ahead with the talks on related cooperation projects and further expand the cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

Source: Xinhua