The expo follows the nineteenth ASEAN-China Summit earlier this week. The summit in the Lao capital of Vientiane commemorated the twenty-fifth anniversary of dialogue relations. Broad agreements were reached, including statements addressing accidental encounters between China and ASEAN members in the South China Sea.

25 years of rapid development... That was how Chinese Premier Li Keqiang described China-ASEAN ties during his speech at the ASEAN-China Summit on Wednesday. These ties were formally established as dialogue relations in 1991.

Li pledged to lift the relationship to a new level by building a closer community and shared future. He put forward a five-point proposal, calling on China and ASEAN to cement their strategic communications, advance the 2+7 framework, and energetically promote cultural exchanges. 

The Chinese premier expressed China's stance on the South China Sea issue. He said China is willing to work with ASEAN countries in fending off interference, and properly handling the issue. He called for following the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and a dual-track approach.

Multiple agreements were also reached on managing differences properly. One is on a China-ASEAN industrial capacity statement. Another issued guidelines on a senior diplomatic hotline that exists to address maritime emergencies. There also is one that covers accidental encounters between China and ASEAN nations in the South China Sea. 

ASEAN leaders said closer relations with China would benefit ASEAN nations, and they are ready to lift China-ASEAN relations to a new level.