Foreign ministers from China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries agreed to boost their strategic cooperation Tuesday at a meeting in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Senior diplomats gathered in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, to discuss the 20th anniversary of their dialogue, the China-ASEAN free trade zone and East Asia cooperation.

"At the 20th anniversary of our dialogue, China-ASEAN relations are at a historical point. We will continue to move forward," said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

The past two decades have seen the comprehensive development of China-ASEAN relations, Yang said.

China and ASEAN established their dialogue in 1991.

The two sides established "a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity" in 2003.

The China-ASEAN free trade zone took effect in 2010. China is ASEAN's biggest trade partner and ASEAN is China's fourth.

As dialogue partner of ASEAN, China was the first country to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

China and ASEAN share similar positions and coordinate to preserve regional peace and stability, said Yang.

The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea enhances mutual trust and helps preserve maritime peace and stability, he said.

Furthering China-ASEAN strategic cooperation is the aspiration of the two sides, Yang said.

The ASEAN foreign ministers applauded China-ASEAN relations, saying they will work more closely with China to protect the two sides' interests.

Both sides agreed to step up efforts to open road and sea routes, strengthen telecommunications and other infrastructure, according to Yang.

They also agreed to increase people-to-people exchanges, especially among young people.

China will give 10,000 government scholarships to students from ASEAN countries by 2020.

Ahead of the foreign ministers' meeting, a ceremony was held to unveil the China-ASEAN Friendship and Exchange Year.

(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2011)