Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged strengthening economic ties between China and ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in his meeting with foreign ministers of ASEAN member countries.
Wang attended the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with China in the Lao capital of Vientiane on Friday.
At the beginning of the meeting, Wang stressed that trade ties and other economic relations between China and the bloc have become stronger. He added that China has continued to serve as a strong powerhouse for the global economy. He said he hopes that ASEAN will continue to cooperate with China.
The attendees also apparently discussed issues concerning the South China Sea. A territorial dispute between China and the Philippines may have been among the topics discussed.
Tensions between Beijing and Manila have been growing since a violent faceoff occurred between the Philippine military and some Chinese coast guard ships in the sea last month. One Filipino soldier was severely injured during the incident.
There is no information about what Wang and his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo, discussed.
Earlier on Sunday, the two countries said that they had reached a tentative deal regarding the delivery of supplies by the Philippine military to its outpost in a shoal, to which both nations have laid claim.