• On behalf of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, I wish to firstly express my appreciation to H.E. Mr. Wang Yi for hosting this Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which is part of commemorative activities to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership this year.

• This special meeting is not just a symbolic testimony of our growing friendship, but a timely opportunity to begin a new chapter of a more comprehensive relationship and mutual beneficial cooperation.

• Today, we had extensive exchange of views and discussion on how to move the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership forward to meet our goals in the coming decade.

• We agreed that the driving force of our partnership are the converging interests in maintaining peaceful and stabilized environment conducive to promoting sustainable growth and development. Therefore, we will exert every effort to realize our commitments and will not allow any particular issue to overshadow the ASEAN-China relations which are progressing well.

• At present, ASEAN-China political-security cooperation is comprehensive and will be further strengthened through enhancement of mutual trust and confidence.  The Meeting also noted with satisfaction of our robust economic ties as it has turned out that ASEAN trade with China increased five times from ten years ago to nearly 400 billion US dollars last year.

• We believe that our desire to upgrade the ASEAN-China FTA will further enhance our economic cooperation and lay groundwork for RCEP negotiation which will be beneficial to economic integration in East Asian region.

• On the South China Sea issue, ASEAN and China Ministers look forward to constructive and substantive discussions on the DOC and COC at SOM level in mid September in China. All parties will take this opportunity to exchange views on the full and effective implementation of DOC, seek ways and means to enhance maritime cooperation, and start official consultations on the COC.

• I believe that this Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting has borne fruitful results paving the way for our Leaders to work together to ensure the success of the upcoming 16th ASEAN-China Summit in Brunei in October.

• In the next few days, the Thai Prime Minister will visit China to attend the 10th China-ASEAN EXPO in Nanning. This event not only marks the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership, but also reflects the close economic ties and cooperation between ASEAN and China, particularly our effort to meet the trade target of 500 billion US dollars in 2015.

• As Country Coordinator, Thailand wishes to emphasize that we will make every effort to work closely with China and other ASEAN Member States in strengthening our comprehensive and strategic relationship and cooperation in all dimensions, so that this partnership contributes to regional peace, stability and prosperity of the region.