Foreign Minister Wang Yi ( left) shakes hands with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Photo: China.org.cn

China attaches great importance to its ties with neighboring countries and places ASEAN at a primary position in its foreign relations Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday before wrapping up a five-day visit to Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei. In a press conference on Sunday in Beijing, Wang reaffirmed the consistent policy of the Chinese government in its ties with ASEAN as well as ASEAN’s unification and leadership role in regional cooperation. China wants to strengthen its strategic partnership with ASEAN. Wang said that China and ASEAN agree on implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).