China attaches importance to and respects the consensus reached among the ASEAN members concerning the enlargement of the East Asia Summit (EAS), Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Wednesday.

Qin made the remarks when required to comment on the EAS's tendency to bring in the United States and Russia as its new members.

China always advocates that cooperation between East Asian countries should be open and accommodating, and the changing of regional architecture should be able to promote peace, development, cooperation and prosperity of East Asia while in accordance with the region's characteristics of diversity, Qin said.

ASEAN should play a dominant role in the changing process, he said.

China will stay in close contact with related parties till a consensus is reached, said Qin.