Senior officials from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed in Wuyishan, Fujian,  Tuesday to further improve cooperation in agriculture, information industry, human resources, mutual investment and the exploitation of the Mekong River.

The officials concluded their ninth consultation Tuesday in the east China province of Fujian after two days of discussions on political, economic and security issues.

They reviewed the fast growth of Sino-ASEAN relations in recent years and agreed that the relations have a good prospect and should be advanced to a new level.

At the meeting, China formally submitted an application to ASEAN to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. The two sides agreed to hold the signing ceremony for China's accession to the treaty at the leaders meeting between China and ASEAN (10+1) in Bali of Indonesia in October.

The officials underlined that China and ASEAN will strictly follow the guidelines of the Declaration on the Conduct of Partiesin the South China Sea to jointly maintain regional stability.

They reviewed the implementation of the China-ASEAN Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the progress of China-ASEAN free trade area negotiations. They agreed to continue making efforts to ensure the free trade area will be set up in due time.

To deepen Sino-ASEAN cooperation, the officials agreed to strengthen cooperation on non-traditional security issues and other areas including culture and public health. They also planned to set up a communication and exchange mechanism for young people in China and the ASEAN countries.

At the consultation meeting, the two sides exchanged views on major international and regional issues and agreed to continue to improve communication, coordination and cooperation to jointly maintain a harmonious, stable and healthy regional environment.

They agreed that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear issue should be settled peacefully through dialogues among the relevant parties. ASEAN officials said the ASEAN countries appreciated China's important role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and welcomed the upcoming six-party talks in Beijing on resolving the DPRK nuclear issue.

The two sides also briefed each other on their recent developments. China noted that it will continue to support the ASEAN integration process and welcomed ASEAN to play a still bigger role in international and regional affairs.

The ASEAN side said China's growth is of vital importance in boosting regional peace, stability and prosperity and it will bring more opportunities to the countries within the region. The ASEAN side also expressed its understanding and support of China'spolicy on keeping the value of Chinese Renminbi (RMB) stable.

The officials also made all-round preparations for the upcoming leaders meeting between China and ASEAN (10+1) and agreed to hold the tenth China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation in Cambodia in April next year.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong from Singapore and senior officials from the ten ASEAN countries attended the consultation.

(Xinhua News Agency   August 19, 2003)