Chinese FM, ASEAN secretary-general hold talks

BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Le Luong Minh in Beijing on Thursday.

Reaffirming ASEAN as a priority of China's diplomacy with neighboring countries, Wang said the successful visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in October outlined the future direction for China-ASEAN relations.

Both sides should earnestly implement the consensus reached between the leaders of the countries and strengthen cooperation in politics, economy, connectivity, finance, security, maritime and culture, Wang said.

Le said ASEAN-China relations have made important contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity. Both sides should use the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership as a chance to deepen mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation in order to push bilateral ties to a new level.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi also met with Le on Thursday. Both sides spoke highly of the positive developments since the strategic partnership was established, expressing a willingness to seize opportunities to further bilateral ties and contribute to regional stability and prosperity.

Le is paying an official visit to China from October 16-19 as guest of Wang.