Foreign Minister Wang Yi also spoke about China's relations with its neighbors in South-East Asia, and said Beijing was looking to drive cooperation, and reach an understanding on many key issues.

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "In the year ahead, China will work with the ASEAN countries to seize opportunities, broaden cooperation, prevent interference, and overcome challenges. We will cherish what we have achieved together. China and the ASEAN countries will speed up the Code of Conduct consultation, explore a cooperation mechanism among all states, and promote peace and cooperation in the South China Sea."