China and ASEAN have forged solid ties since they established a dialogue 15 years ago, and their strategic partnership seems likely to expand in the future

This year marks the 15thanniversary of the dialogue relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and is also the Year of China-ASEAN Friendly Cooperation. Under an agreement reached at the Ninth China-ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2005, the two sides endorsed a list of commemorative activities to celebrate the anniversary, one of which is a summit in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on October 30, which will be attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and leaders of ASEAN member states. At that time, the Third China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will also be held in the city.