(VOVworld) - Marine cooperation should contribute to meeting ASEAN common objectives of economic development and prosperity, peace and stability based on mutual benefit and respect, and adherence to international law and common codes of conduct. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam was addressing a 2-day regional meeting which opened Wednesday in Xiamen City in China’s Fujian province. He suggested that search and rescue work at sea should be a priority cooperation area within APEC. Tam introduced Vietnam’s efforts in implementing cooperation mechanisms for marine search and rescue information sharing, and in setting up search and rescue hotlines. The 4th APEC Ocean-related Ministerial Meeting (AOMM4) drew the participation of ministers and ministerial-level officials of 19 APEC member states. On the meeting’s sideline, Deputy Minister Vu Van Tam paid a courtesy visit to the head of China’s State Oceanic Administration.