China has become the largest trade partner of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with two-way trade last year reaching230 billion USD.

Indonesian Vice Minister of Trade Mahendra Siregar made the statement onthe sidelines of the ASEAN - China Economic Ministers’ Meeting inManado, Indonesia on August 12.

ASEAN total exports toChina was 113.5 billion USD last year, representing a year-on-year riseof 39.1 percent, while the bloc’s imports from China were up 21.8percent to 117.7 billion USD.

The same day, at the 14th ASEAN+3 Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Indonesia, Chinese TradeMinister Chen Deming underlined that China considers ASEAN, Japan andthe Republic of Korea (RoK) as its important trade and investmentpartners.

Last year, total trade turnover betweenChina and ASEAN, Japan and the RoK accounted for 27 percent of China’strade turnover. Meanwhile, the total amount of capital ASEAN, Japan, andthe RoK poured into China made up 12.4 percent of the total foreigninvestment in the country.

Therefore, China attachesimportance to trade cooperation among ASEAN+3 member countries. Chinais willing to promote economic cooperation in the East Asian region,contributing to the economic development in the region and commonprosperity among the East Asian countries./.