ASEAN to work toward reinforcing ties with China

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed that relationship between ASEAN member countries and China will play a major role in maintaining peace and stability in Asia, local press reported Thursday.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary for foreign affairs, was quoted by Thai News Agency as saying that the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat hosted by Thailand in the southern resort town of Hua Hin on Aug. 13-14 zeroed in on unity among ASEAN members and agreed that the door should be widely open to China.

The gathering was to prepare for the upcoming special ASEAN- China Foreign Ministers'Meeting to be hosted by China in Beijing on Aug. 28-30 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN- China Strategic Partnership.

Sihasak said ASEAN countries would set up an ASEAN Coordinating Committee after the launch of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 to jointly map out guiding principles to strengthen the community and elevate the AEC's role in international forum.

Member countries also agreed that the region should be developed under the ASEAN development goal with the objectives of improving people's quality of life, minimizing poverty among ASEAN citizens and developing overall health standards, he said.