China pledges to standby with ASEAN

BANGKOK, May 26 (TNA) - China has pledged to standby with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and further promote trustworthy so that both sides could stay together and jointly help in maintaining peace in the region. Thai Defence Ministry Spokesman Major General Kongcheep Tantravanich told journalists on Thursday that the pledge was made by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General Chang Wanquan during the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting, held in Vientiane, Laos' capital, from May 24 to 25, in which the Chinese minister also participated. The spokesman said that Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan led a Thai delegation to attend the two-day regional meeting. The spokesman quoted the Chinese minister as saying that China adheres to every agreement and as an ASEAN strategic partner, while Beijing is also pleased to further strengthen cooperation with the 10-member bloc. Besides, the Chinese minister pointed out that South China Sea is like a backyard for ASEAN which could be jointly utilised and China will work with ASEAN in resolving problems there. According to the spokesman, the Chinese minister stressed on maritime freedom without any military threat in the South China Sea, while proposing for further defence cooperation between China and ASEAN, namely military drills in the strategic sea for joint maritime rescue, humanitarian, disaster mitigation and even anti-terrorism missions. Meanwhile, China and Thailand have agreed to co-host counter-terrorism maritime drills during 2017–2019. (TNA)