Here in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has met with Lim Jok Hoi, the secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. During their meeting, the officials agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the areas of trade, culture and innovation. CGTN's Ren Xueqian has more.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership. And to celebrate that milestone, the two sides have been searching for new ways to expand their cooperation. And the Chinese foreign minister suggested that they were looking well into future in this regard.

WANG YI  CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "First and foremost, China and ASEAN will formulate and sign a Vision 2030 Strategic Partnership Plan to further our cooperation. Secondly, we are looking to deepen our cooperation in innovation, and lastly, we will increase our efforts to develope China's Belt & Road Initiative and ASEAN's Connectivity 2025 plan. We believe these projects will generate new growth prospects and cooperation for all sides."

Wang added that China was the first country to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with ASEAN, a peace accord involving south-east Asian nations. He said China was also the first country to establish a strategic partnership and sign a Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN, moves that have helped to improve their partnership, drive regional integration and expand ASEAN's international influence.

LIM JOCK HOI ASEAN SECRETARY GENERAL "China is a major trading partner as well as major investment partner, we would like to see these to be further enhanced with the implementation of ASEAN-China FDA. Secondly, we're looking at how we can further our cooperation especially in people-to-people relationship, further sustain our cooperation."

Wang Yi said while the controversial South China Sea issue was not discussed, a new round of consultations regarding a Code of Conduct for the region would begin later this month.

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "We believe the situation in the South China Sea has remained calm. We agree that thanks to the efforts of all sides, issues in the marine region have been brought back on the right track for dialogue and consultation for the parties involved. A new rounds of COC consultations will be held in China at the end of this month. The South China Sea will remain peaceful and calm as long as external countries refrain from making waves. We are confident of making further progress through the signing of the COC."

According to China's Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade between China and ASEAN was worth half a trillion US dollars last year, making the ten-nation bloc China's fastest growing trade partner. Now with all sides committed to maintaining this momentum, it seems China will have a greater role to play in the region's growth and development for many years to come. RXQ, CGTN, BJ.