Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui on Friday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to jointly work with China to send out signals of unity, cooperation and development in the coming foreign ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation. 

Luo made the remarks when meeting with diplomatic envoys of the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in China.

He noted the COVID-19 is still spreading globally, world's economy is facing mounting downward pressure and unilateralism and bullying prevail. 

Luo is of the view that the U.S. crackdown on China has a negative impact on regional and world stability. 

He pointed out the next stage of East Asia cooperation should focus on strengthening cooperation in the fight against the epidemic, promoting economic recovery, planning next year's work plan and properly managing and controlling differences.  

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, China and ASEAN countries have carried out good cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels, Luo said, adding that China is willing to strengthen vaccine cooperation with ASEAN countries and other fields as well.  

According to the Chinese vice foreign minister, trade and investment between China and the ASEAN rebounded as bilateral trade volume reached nearly 300 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of this year, with a year-on-year growth of 5.6 percent.

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. China hopes to take this opportunity to sum up the experience with ASEAN, learn from the past, deepen and expand all-round cooperation between the two sides to benefit countries and people in the region, Luo said. 

China has been working with ASEAN countries to push forward consultations the Code of Conduct (COC) under the framework of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Seas (DOC), however, the U.S. is causing chaos in the region, Luo said.

He stressed that the U.S. promoted an "India Pacific Strategy", introduced new policies related to the South China Sea, deterred China and forced ASEAN countries to take sides between China and the U.S. 

The U.S. moves are not conducive to the regional situation and go against the regional countries' will of maintaining peace and stability. 

The envoys of the ten ASEAN countries congratulated China on its remarkable achievements in the fight against the epidemic and expressed gratitude to China for its valuable support and assistance to ASEAN countries in fighting the epidemic. 

They said the relationship with China is the most substantive one in the ASEAN dialogue partnership. 

Maintaining regional peace and stability is the common aspiration of all countries and ASEAN is willing to work with China to properly manage disputes such as the South China Sea issue through dialogue and consultation, the envoys added.