As agreed between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the 29th China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation will be held in south China's city of Shenzhen from May 24 to 26, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday.

Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nong Rong will lead a delegation to the conference and co-chair the conference with U Chan Aye, ASEAN-Myanmar Senior Officials' Meeting Leader of Myanmar.

The China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation is an important annual consultation mechanism between the foreign affairs departments of China and ASEAN countries, where preparations can be made for the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the China-ASEAN Summit, she said.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of China joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, she said, adding that this will present new opportunities for China-ASEAN cooperation.

"At this Consultation, the two sides will take stock and look to future growth of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, especially with regard to delivering on the common understandings between the leaders of the two sides, and deepening practical cooperation in areas of political security, trade and economy, social, cultural and people-to-people exchange, agriculture and food security. Together the two sides can provide more positive energy for stability and development of the region," she added.

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a regular press briefing in Beijing, China, May 22, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)