China, the 10 members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other countries such as the United States are set for a range of one-on-one and multilateral meetings to take place starting on July 30 in Bangkok, the Thai capital, to discuss regional affairs of concern.
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will lead the Chinese delegation from July 30 to August 3 in the annual gathering of foreign minister-level officials focused on East Asia cooperation.
Diplomats said the upcoming gathering is an indispensable arena for mutual trust-building, reinforcing actions in regional teamwork projects and offsetting acts aimed at undermining joint efforts.
During the annual gatherings, Wang will attend the China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting and the ASEAN+3 foreign ministers' meeting, the latter involving China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday.
"China stands ready to co-build the Belt and Road of great quality with ASEAN, deepen pragmatic cooperation, build a higher-standard strategic partnership and a closer community with a shared future," Hua said.
The two sides also need to "continue properly handling the South China Sea issue, strengthen maritime practical cooperation and jointly uphold regional peace and stability", Hua added.
Huang Xilian, ambassador and head of China's mission to ASEAN, said the stable, promising situation in the South China Sea has been bolstered with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN members, and the sea is shifting from the center of friction to new highlights of maritime cooperation and dialogue.
However, the biggest threat to the sea's peace and stability "is from outside the region", as some major countries have sent warships or planes for provocation, such as challenging territorial waters of countries or flexing muscles through military drills, Huang said in a group interview with media on Wednesday.
Huang urged ASEAN countries to jointly guard against and fend off disturbing attempts by the region's outsiders and effectively champion the region's stability.
Also, Wang will attend the annual East Asia Summit foreign ministers' meeting, which brings together dignitaries of 18 countries－all 10 ASEAN members, China, Japan, the ROK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and India, according to Hua.
Wang will attend the ASEAN Regional Forum foreign ministers' meeting as well, which involves even more countries, including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.