Jakarta, Oct 3 (IANS): Despite differences and territorial disputes, China wants to build closer ties with member states of ASEAN, China's President Xi Jinping said here Thursday.
Addressing the Indonesian lawmakers here, Xi said that China wants to build closer ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and peaceful solution to their differences, reported Xinhua.
Xi acknowledged that there are differences and disputes between China and some ASEAN countries over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South-China Sea.
But China is willing to work together with Indonesia and other ASEAN countries to be good neighbours, friends and partners and jointly build a closer community of common destiny with them, he said.
The Chinese president is on a two-day visit to Indonesia, the first leg of his maiden trip to South-East Asia since he assumed presidency in March.