A high-level delegation from ASEAN led by Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei, visited China from October 22-25 to further enhance trade and investment relations between the two sides.

The delegation, with economic ministers from Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and senior officials from ASEAN member states, toured Hong Kong, Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing, called on Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, met with high-level Chinese officials, and held consultations with the private sector.

The total trade between ASEAN and China reached 319 billion USD in 2012, which represents an average annual growth rate of 20 percent since 2002. China is ASEAN's largest trading partner, while ASEAN has been China's third largest trading partner since 2010.

During the 16th ASEAN-China Summit held in Brunei on October 10, the leaders agreed to work towards achieving two-way trade of 500 billion USD by 2015 and 1 trillion USD by 2020, and two-way investment of 150 billion USD in the next eight years.

“The ministers were pleased with the Roadshow which will pave the way for the realisation of trade and investment targets set by the leaders, ” said Lim Hong Hin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community

“The ministers also reiterated their commitment for timely realisation of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 which will create a single market and production base for the private sector to expand existing or establish new operations in the region,” he said.-VNA