Territorial disputes, including those involving the South China Sea, should not undermine the common interests of China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states or overshadow their deepening relations. Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul made the remarks to China Daily ahead of the Special China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Beijing.

Thailand hopes the meeting will "set a clear direction" for official consultations on the regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, he said. "This endeavor will help transform the South China Sea into a sea of lasting peace, cooperation and prosperity."

The minister said Thailand believes that effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea could create cordial friendships among the parties concerned, while the COC will help create a conducive environment for the peaceful settlement of those disputes.

Despite the South China Sea issue, China and ASEAN member nations have enjoyed a favorable relationship since the beginning of their dialogue partnership in 1991.

Over the past two decades, ASEAN-China relations have strengthened and cooperation has diversified, expanding to 11 priority areas including agriculture, information technology, human resource development and environmental protection.

ASEAN and China recently concluded a memorandum of understanding on Health Cooperation, and are finalizing another MOU on science and technology.

"These demonstrate the political trust as well as the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides," he said.

All the cooperation projects are "integral parts of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership that has stood as a key pillar of peace, stability and growth in East Asia", he added.

Moreover, China and ASEAN have agreed to continue exploring further possibilities for new fields of cooperation, such as maritime cooperation.

Maritime cooperation will "promote full use of the sea for maritime connectivity, economic integration and productive use of living and non-living resources under the sea", the minister said.

"China's support for ASEAN is important for community building within the bloc," the minister said, adding that development of land, air, and sea links will contribute to closer economic links between China and ASEAN.

Surapong said that as country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, "Thailand plays a balanced and constructive role to promote continued dialogue and enhance cooperation".

Regarding China-Thailand ties, he said Bangkok is "very pleased with the overall progress and will continue to support fruitful cooperation projects in close consultation".

The two nations have enjoyed close relations at all levels since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975.

Frequent visits by officials from both sides have helped to deepen mutual political trust. Bilateral economic, cultural, educational and military cooperation has continued to grow in recent years.

In 2012, bilateral trade approached $70 billion, with China being Thailand's second-largest trade partner and Thailand being China's major import source country of rice and natural rubber.

China is both the largest export market and also leading import source for Thailand.

The two countries are in talks to initiate a bilateral tourist visa exemption program. China has recently become Thailand's biggest tourist source country. Around 2.8 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand last year, and 2.3 million traveled to the country in the first six months of this year.

zhouwa@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 08/30/2013 page5)