China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are looking to strengthen bilateral ties ahead of the 25th anniversary of their bilateral relations. Despite the on-going territorial claims over the South China Sea, China is ready to further cooperation with the other nations.

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In celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the ASEAN and China Dialogue Relations, the ASEAN-China Centre in Beijing was opened in 2011. This organization was established with the support of different ASEAN countries and China. The centre was established to promote collaboration between China and the other members of the ASEAN in terms of trade, investment, education and tourism.

According to Lada Phumas from the ASEAN-China Centre, the centre has done a great deal in spreading information about ASEAN to the Chinese people and vice-versa.

China has become ASEAN's largest trading partner since 2009. ASEAN is also China's largest trading partner. A reported increase in trade between China and the ASEAN by 8.2 percent to $480 billion in 2014 is seen as a good sign of their growing relations, especially in maritime cooperation.

Beijing has invited ASEAN members to be a part of the proposed 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a network that aims to connect Asia to Africa.

According to Chen Yue, State Oceanic Administration, China and ASEAN countries can cooperate in marine research, ecological protection, disaster relief and prevention. They could also collaborate on law enforcement, rescue efforts and inter-cultural exchanges.

However, there is the thorny issue of the South China Sea. Several ASEAN nations and China have conflicting claims over parts of South China Sea, where an estimated $5 trillion worth of trade passes each year. 

China's Foreign Ministry insists that the South China Sea is not a China-ASEAN issue. China continues to favor direct talks with other South China Sea claimant countries over third party negotiations.

Meanwhile, as a sign of strengthening ties, China and ASEAN recently sealed a deal to advance Free Trade Agreement by $1 trillion in 2020.

TagsASEAN, China-ASEAN, China-ASEAN relations, China-ASEAN 25th Anniversary, ASEAN-China Centre in Beijing