The seventh meeting of the China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Joint Cooperation Committee opened in Nanning, capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Wednesday.

 

The two-day meeting has attracted about 80 participants, including Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai with the Chinese delegation and other officials from the foreign ministries of 10 ASEAN members and the ASEAN Secretariat.

 

The Joint Cooperation Committee, set up in 1997, acts as an important coordination mechanism between China and the ASEAN. This year is the 15th anniversary for encouraging dialogue between China and ASEAN and the Year of Friendship and Cooperation between the two parties.

 

The committee's current meeting will focus on the follow-up activities of the China-ASEAN summit held last year and the commemorative activities to mark the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN relations.

 

During the two-day meeting, participants will exchange views on promoting pragmatic cooperation between China and ASEAN in various fields.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2006)