China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN hold the 19th China-ASEAN summit this week. The meetings commemorate the 25th anniversary of dialogue relations between the two sides in the Lao capital Vientiane.

During the China-ASEAN summit, multiple agreements were reached to manage differences properly. The two sides issued several joint statements. One involves a senior diplomat’s hot-line to address maritime emergencies. The other covers accidental encounters between China and ASEAN in the South China Sea. A China-ASEAN industrial capacity cooperation statement was also reached to promote cooperation in infrastructure, electricity and communications, among others.

Premier Li Keqiang has hailed the achievements made so far in China-ASEAN ties. He has pledged to lift the relationship to a new level by building a closer community for a shared future. Premier Li and the Laotian Prime Minister have also inaugurated a handbook on China-ASEAN relations.

The Premier arrived in Laos on Sept 6 for the China-ASEAN leaders’ meeting. Leaders of ASEAN-China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, will also hold the East Asia Summit.