BEIJING, April 23(Xinhua)-- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman here on Wednesdayhailed China-Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)ties after just-concludedmeetings between senior Chinese and ASEAN officials.

Qin Gang told a daily press briefing that the ASEAN is a priority of China's foreigndiplomacy with its neighboring countries, and supports the association's leading role incooperation in East Asia.

The meetings, which concluded on Tuesday in Thailand, were co-chaired by Chinese ViceForeign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Thailand's Permanent Secretary for Foreign AffairsSihasak Phuangketkeow.

Qin said the two sides discussed negotiating a good-neighborly treaty of friendship andcooperation between China and ASEAN countries, launching the negotiation to upgrade theASEAN China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), setting up an Asia infrastructure investmentbank, building the Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century, and enhancing defense andsecurity cooperation.

The ASEAN side said the ASEAN-China relationship is the most dynamic one with itsdialogue partners, Qin said.