Chinese vice premier meets leaders of ASEAN members

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli met with leaders from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in southwest China's Nanning City on Saturday, calling for stronger ties between China and ASEAN.

The foreign dignitaries include Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Myanmar's Vice President U Myint Swe, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong.

Zhang welcomed the foreign leaders to attend the 13th China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit slated from Sunday to Wednesday in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

When meeting with Hun Sen, Zhang said Cambodia has played an active role in promoting China-ASEAN relations.

Expressing China's appreciation, Zhang said China is willing to continue to maintain exchange of high-level visits with Cambodia, well implement the consensus reached by the leaders in order to forge ahead bilateral ties and deepen cooperation in various fields.

Hun Sen said Cambodia has firmly pushed forward the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation with China.

Cambodia is ready to work with China to enhance cooperation in areas including agriculture, transportation, water conservancy and power grid, he said.

When meeting with Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Zhang said Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang maintained close contacts with Vietnamese party and government leaders, reaching consensus on further promoting China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperation.

China would like to work with Vietnam to implement the consensus, advance substantial cooperation, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges so as to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, Zhang said.

Vietnam is the honorary country of this year's China-ASEAN Expo. Zhang said he believes that with efforts from all sides, this year's Expo will become a success and contribute to a closer China-ASEAN community of shared future.

Phuc said Vietnam and China share a comradely and brotherly traditional friendship, expressing the hope that the two countries can further enhance exchange of high-level visits and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.

When meeting with U Myint Swe, Zhang said China and Myanmar should maintain close high-level exchanges, enhance mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation in all areas for the sustainable, steady and healthy development of bilateral ties.

U Myint Swe said Myanmar thanked China's valued support for Myanmar's economic development and national building, adding that Myanmar is willing to implement the consensus reached between the two countries' leaders and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.

When meeting with Sonexay Siphandone, Zhang said China will continue its friendly policies towards Laos and offer firm support to the development of Laos. He said China is willing to work with Laos and other ASEAN countries to implement the outcome of the China-ASEAN leaders' meeting to advance China-ASEAN relations to a new level.

Sonexay Siphandone said Laos attaches great importance to its relationship with China and will work with China in implementing the outcome of the ASEAN-China leaders' meeting and foster the building of ASEAN-China community of shared destiny.

When meeting with Prajin Juntong, Zhang expressed willingness to synergize development strategies with Thailand and jointly push forward the Belt and Road Initiative, calling for more cooperation in industrial production capacity, railway, aviation and aerospace, renewable energy and tourism.

"Thailand is an important member of ASEAN. China will work with Thailand and other ASEAN members to contribute to regional development and prosperity," Zhang said.

Prajin Juntong said Thailand will maintain high-level exchanges with China and strengthen cooperation in transportation and science and technology, adding that as a close partner of China, Thailand will work to advance the relations between ASEAN and China. Endi