Beijing, May 23rd—Lu Kang, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with the Delegation of the Political and Business Community in Southeast Asia led by Teresa Kok Suh Sim, Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Member of Parliament of Malaysia.  

Lu said, China and ASEAN countries enjoy traditional friendly relations and close economic and trade ties. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and leaders of ASEAN countries, cooperation between the two sides in various fields has maintained strong momentum of development. The Chinese side has proposed three major global initiatives, promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and adhered to high-level opening up, providing a broader space for cooperation between the two sides. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen experience exchanges in state governance and administration with other countries, including ASEAN countries, deepen practical cooperation in economy, trade and other fields, and promote the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.  

Teresa Kok Suh Sim said, currently, ASEAN countries have close interactions with China. The political and business circles of every ASEAN country look forward to furthering exchanges and mutual learning with the Chinese side, and are willing to deepen economic cooperation and achieve common development through the "political party+" platform.  

Nearly 20 political heavyweights, officials of government economic departments, representatives from business associations and entrepreneurs from seven countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore and Myanmar attended the meeting.