MANILA • China has lauded Singapore for its "positive" and "constructive" role as country coordinator for Asean-China dialogue relations.

"We commend Singapore for playing a positive and constructive role in advancing China-Asean relations," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters yesterday.

He said he wished Singapore well as it prepares to assume the chairmanship of the 10-member Asean grouping next year, in addition to continuing as Asean-China dialogue relations coordinator.

"We believe in and wish Singapore well in taking up these two responsibilities. So, in the process of further improving China-Asean relations, Singapore can play its special and positive role," he said.

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, in remarks at the signing of an agreement on the Asean- China Centre, said Asean-China ties "are on a positive trajectory".

Singapore assumed the role of Asean-China dialogue relations coordinator in August 2015 for three years.

It has been instrumental in getting both sides to conclude talks on a framework of a code of conduct aimed at preventing overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea from erupting into violent confrontations.

Raul Dancel