Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his counterparts from
the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to further promote
consensus and deepen their strategic partnership.
The agreement was reached on Saturday during the first plenary
session of the China-ASEAN foreign ministers in Vientiane, Laos. On
the same day, Li also pledged China's further commitment and
support in East Asia to his counterparts from Japan and South
Korea.
At the China-ASEAN meeting, Li Zhaoxing summarized that
cooperation between the two sides has achieved fruitful
results.
Li assured his ASEAN counterparts that it is the Chinese
government's strategic choice to strengthen its strategic
partnership with the regional organization.
Li also expressed appreciation?for the statement by all the
ASEAN foreign ministers?on their adherence to the one-China
policy.
ASEAN foreign ministers also spoke highly of China's
good-neighborly policy, and praised China's constructive role in
international affairs.
Meanwhile, during the second meeting of the Tripartite Committee
involving China, Japan and South Korea, Li pledged China's further
cooperation with both countries and ASEAN. He also made clear that
China will support ASEAN's leading role in the regional cooperation
process.
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Foreign ministers of the three countries also agreed to submit a
plan of action for cooperation to a meeting of their leaders.
On Saturday, Li Zhaoxing also met with Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister of Laos Somsavat Lengsavad. The two sides agreed
to push ahead with talks on cooperation projects, and further
expand cooperation in various fields.
(CCTV.com November 28, 2004)
