Over a small and relatively informal dinner last night, Asean's foreign ministers discussed topics such as the setting up of a network of smart cities across the region and their strategic vision for the regional grouping.
The dinner at Peach Garden in OCBC Centre at Raffles Place took place ahead of today's Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Singapore.
In a Facebook post, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said he and his colleagues had a "good discussion" on Asean's priorities and projects for this year.
Singapore is chairing the regional grouping this year, and the country is keen to push a series of programmes under the themes of resilience and innovation.
The Asean Smart Cities Network is one project on the cards, along with a statement on Asean's strategic vision and principles.
Dr Balakrishnan also posted a photograph on Facebook showing all 10 foreign ministers or their representatives in a cosy dining room, with each accompanied by a single official.
"Such informal, low-key gatherings are extremely useful as they allow us to candidly share our viewpoints and build consensus ahead of formal discussions," he said.
He noted that the retreat would be the first of many gatherings of Asean foreign ministers in Singapore this year.
"I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues over the course of the busy but meaningful year ahead, as we work towards achieving a resilient and innovative Asean," he said.
Previously, Dr Balakrishnan also said that Singapore, as Asean chair, wanted to deepen the grouping's relations with its external partners as part of the push for resilience.
Separately, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin responded yesterday to Dr Balakrishnan's earlier comments on the South China Sea, made in an interview with The Straits Times last week.
Dr Balakrishnan had said the situation in the South China Sea was a lot calmer now, and described the goodwill on all sides to begin negotiations on a Code of Conduct as a very positive step.
Mr Liu said: "China has confidence that it and Asean will continue to implement comprehensively and effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively push for the negotiation of the Code of Conduct, and safeguard the region's peace and stability."
