Chi to align initiative with ASEAN's development strategies

Beijing, August 6: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said his country was willing to align its “One Belt, One Road” initiative with the development strategies of the Asean member-tions.

The assertion was made during the Chi-Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

As special dialogue partners, the two sides are backbones in safeguarding regiol peace, stability and development, he said, adding that cooperation is the main platform for Chi to participate in regiol cooperation.

Wang said that Chi-Asean relationship is continuously moving forward, with substantial development achieved in the preparation for the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), positive achievements in a series of initiatives like Free Trade Zone upgrade and smooth implementation of “the Year of Chi-Asean Maritime Cooperation”. Wang said Chi regards the Association of Southeast Asian tions (Asean) as a priority in Chi’s diplomatic policy with neighbouring countries, a key region for constructing the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” and an important partner in building the new-type intertiol relations featuring win-win cooperation. The hard-won peace in the South Chi Sea is the result of Chi and Asean’s joint efforts, he said. All parties in and outside the region are responsible and obliged to support the efforts made by Chi and Asean countries, he said while proposing three initiatives to maintain peace, stability of South Chi Sea.

The first initiative is that countries in the South Chi Sea pledge to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South Chi Sea (DOC) in a comprehensive, effective and complete way, accelerate consultations on formulating a Code of Conduct (COC) for the South Chi Sea and actively discuss “precautiory measures for maritime risk magement and control”.

Second, countries outside the region pledge to support the above-mentioned efforts by countries in the region, and do not take actions that may cause tension and complexity in the region. (IANS)