China-ASEAN cooperation key to expand trade ties, resolve differences in region, says Chinese ambassador

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HANOI, Sept. 22 -- The strengthening of cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) is the key not only to the further expansion of trade ties between China and the regional grouping but also to resolve differences among the countries in the region, according to Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Kong Xuanyou.

In a recent interview with Xinhua on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN strategic partnership, Kong said that the relations between China and ASEAN have gone through an extraordinary path during the past 10 years with bilateral trade turnover increased fivefold and mutual investment threefold, creating a golden decade. "We should maintain the development momentum and further expand cooperation from high-ranking leaders to the peoples, bringing political will into practice,"Kong said.

He proposed five development aspects to further strengthen ties between China and the ASEAN.

According to him, the two sides should promote strategic communications, respect each other's major concerns and further enhance high-level exchanges and communications among all sectors.

In his view, it is necessary to create an upgraded version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and to align it with the establishment of a region-wide free trade zone.

The two sides should push forward the establishment of onshore and offshore transportation and build a new regional investment and financial platform. Moreover, both countries should make good use of the China-ASEAN maritime cooperation fund and continue consolidating and reinforcing the foundation of enduring friendship between the two peoples.

According to Kong, the global focus is shifting to Asia and the development of China-ASEAN relations is undergoing increasingly complicated and profound changes.

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