China vows to build community of common destiny with ASEAN

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China wants to build closer ties and a community of common destiny with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Xi said in an address to Indonesian lawmakers that China is willing to work together with Indonesia and other ASEAN countries to be good neighbors, friends and partners, and jointly build a closer China-ASEAN community of common destiny.

He acknowledged that there are differences and disputes between China and some ASEAN countries over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, calling for a peaceful solution.

"The two sides should always stick to peaceful means and properly handle the issues through equal dialogue and friendly negotiation in order to safeguard bilateral relations and regional stability," he said.

The Chinese president is on a two-day visit to Indonesia, the first leg of his maiden trip to Southeast Asia since he assumed presidency in March.

(Updated)