Xi confident of boost to China-ASEAN ties

President of Chile Sebastian Pinera smiles as he is surrounded by Chinese delegates waiting to take photographs with him, after his speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Sunday. Wong Maye-E /AP

Beijing on Sunday called on Bangkok, the current cordinator between China and ASEAN, to play a positive role in deepening trust and cooperation between China and ASEAN as President Xi Jinping met Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

ASEAN has a coordination mechanism with major countries outside the organization and Thailand replaced Vietnam as the coordinator between China and ASEAN in 2012. It will perform the role until 2015.

"China-Thailand ties are an example for China-ASEAN ties,’’ Xi told Yingluck.

"I am confident Thailand will fully play its role as China-ASEAN coordinator to push forward China-ASEAN trust and cooperation."

Xi said China attaches great importance to ties with Thailand, a key partner in the region.

The countries have solid political and economic links and enjoy "huge potential for further cooperation’’, Xi said.

Underscoring cooperation in high-speed rail development and water conservancy, Xi said these projects should be advanced as pilot programs as they concern connectivity and livelihoods and can be examples of China-Thailand friendship.

Yingluck spoke highly of the role China plays in the economic development of her country and other ASEAN members.

Thailand agreed on the basic principles China sets for China-ASEAN ties and will work together with China to boost cooperation and maintain peace and stability in the region, Yingluck said.