(VOVWORLD) - The Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and China met in China on Monday to share a number of development orientations for the bilateral relationship, particularly in controlling COVID-19 and promoting post-pandemic recovery.
 The Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting takes place in Chongqing city, marking the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations (1991-2021)(Photo: VOV)
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China said it will continue to hasten the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to ASEAN countries, and help ASEAN improve its vaccine research, development, production, and distribution capacity.
China will also work with ASEAN to boost recovery by implementing the ASEAN Overall Recovery Framework, facilitating trade and investment, effectively utilizing the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement, and putting into effect the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.
Both sides agreed that maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, particularly in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea), is in the common interest of ASEAN and China. The ministers welcomed the 19th ASEAN-China Senior Official Meeting (SOM) on implementing the Declaration on the Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), which took place ahead of their meeting.
They pledged to continue implementing the DOC, and resume negotiations on building a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
 Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks at the event. |
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam will work with other ASEAN members and China to strengthen political dialogue; improve mutual understanding, trust, and respect; and promote cooperation, making the relationship a model of stable and sustainable partnership between neighbors.
Mr. Son stressed the importance of efforts by ASEAN and China to maintain an environment of peace, security, stability, and rule of law in the region, through responsible acts, cooperation with goodwill, self-restraint, and peaceful settlement of disputes and differences. He said Vietnam will continue to work with other ASEAN countries and China to implement the DOC and build an effective COC in accordance with international law and UNCLOS.
Mr. Son said ASEAN countries will continue to help Myanmar stabilize the situation, ensure safety, and normalize people's lives. He said he hopes China will back ASEAN’s effort.