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China pushes for closer ties in Asean talks, with focus on pandemic
- Foreign ministers meet in Chongqing, Beijing says ‘pragmatic cooperation’ and regional peace and security also on agenda
- Officials at separate meeting agree to resume negotiations on code of conduct for the South China Sea
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China was expected to seek closer ties with the 10 Asean members during talks on Monday, including pledges to boost cooperation on economic recovery from the pandemic and on Covid-19 vaccine distribution.
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Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers met their Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Chongqing, southwest China, their first face-to-face talks since the pandemic began. Beijing called for the talks last month to mark 30 years of the China-Asean relationship.
At a separate meeting in the city, senior officials agreed to resume negotiations “in suitable formats” on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, Vietnam’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Tensions over the disputed waterway have long been an issue between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours and a proposed regional code of conduct has been delayed.
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The South China Sea dispute explained
The South China Sea dispute explained
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after the ministers’ meeting that Asean and China “must immediately” continue talks on the code, noting that “progress is currently very slow”.
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