China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a joint statement on port development and cooperation aiming at shore up the role of shipping and ports in China-ASEAN trade.

According to the joint statement, transport ministers from 10 ASEAN member countries and China have agreed to adopt the Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation as soon as possible, and sign the ASEAN-China Maritime Transport Agreement at the 6th ASEAN-China Transport Ministers' Meeting to be held in Singapore in early November.

China and ASEAN also recognized the need to establish the ASEAN-China port coordination mechanism, aiming at an effective implementation of relevant cooperation activities, the statement says.

The two sides said they will encourage and support the port cooperation in the sub-regional groupings. The detailed cooperation will be discussed under the future Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation.

Themed "Enhancing Regional Cooperation, Promoting Common Development", the ASEAN-China Port Development and Cooperation Forum was held during the 4th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in the southern Chinese city of Nanning on Oct. 28-29.