Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, left, holds talks with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith via videolink at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 21, 2020. (PANG XINGLEI / XINHUA)
China would like to work with Laos and other relevant countries to jointly promote the development of China-ASEAN relations as well as peace, stability and prosperity in the region, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday.
In a videoconference with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Li called on China and relevant countries to strive to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership this year.
China would like to work with those countries to successfully host East Asian leaders' meetings this year, the Year of ASEAN-China Digital Economic Cooperation, Li said.
The meeting aims to communicate the expansion of regional and trade connectivity, and send out a positive signal on mutually beneficial cooperation and a joint response to common challenges, Premier Li said, referring to the videoconference with his Lao counterpart
ASEAN became China's biggest trading partner in the first half of this year, accounting for 14.7 percent of the nation's total foreign trade volume, despite the impact of the novel coronavirus.
Noting China and Laos are the co-chairs of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, Li said the virtual meeting is to enhance bilateral coordination and make preparations for the third LMC leaders' meeting, which was supposed to be held earlier this year but postponed due to COVID-19.
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The meeting also aims to communicate the expansion of regional and trade connectivity, and send out a positive signal on mutually beneficial cooperation and a joint response to common challenges, he said.
The premier stressed that China is willing to continue to cooperate with Laos in the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor and other major projects, so as to help the country to improve sustainable development capabilities and push forward bilateral ties.
Thongloun said that Laos always supports China on issues concerning its core interests and will work with China to promote the building of a community with a shared future between the two countries.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chair the 12th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh via videolink in Beijing, capital of China, July 21, 2020. (SHEN HONG / XINHUA)
Also on Tuesday, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh, the 12th Meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation via videolink.
Wang called on the two countries to manage maritime disputes through bilateral dialogue, and work with other ASEAN members to prevent external forces from disturbing and damaging stability in the South China Sea region.
This is the second time Wang has discussed the South China Sea issue with relevant countries after United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week that most of China's claims in the area were "completely unlawful". Wang spoke with his Philippine counterpart on July 14.
US meddling
China's policy in the South China Sea remains unchanged, Wang said.
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He accused the US of making inflammatory remarks on the South China Sea issue and continuously sending warships and aircraft to the region to flex muscle, saying its purpose is to stir up chaos in the area to undermine unity among regional countries and obstruct the prospects for regional development.
He warned countries in the region to remain vigilant to US moves.
Vietnam is willing to work with China to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and advance bilateral maritime cooperation and common development, Minh said.
It conforms with the interests of both countries, and is the common wish of nations within and outside the region, he added.
