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)