JAKARTA, Jan. 29 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attaches utmost importance to China's key role in upholding peace and stability as well as promoting development and prosperity in the region, ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi said here on Monday.

Lim made the remarks while receiving credentials presented by China's new Ambassador to ASEAN Huang Xilian at the ASEAN Secretariat. He said China is one of ASEAN's most important dialogue partners and also ASEAN's largest trading partner.

ASEAN was willing to work with China to continuously increase political mutual trust, strengthen synergy between development strategies of the two sides, and deepen economic and trade exchanges and cooperation in various fields so as to promote sound development of ASEAN-China strategic partnership and make greater contribution to upholding peace, stability and prosperity in the region, he said.

The ASEAN secretary general noted that the ASEAN Secretariat also wishes to strengthen its communication and cooperation with the Chinese mission to ASEAN and push for further development of the ASEAN-China relations.

Ambassador Huang, for his part, said the China-ASEAN relations enjoy sound momentum of development with bright prospect, adding that China will, as always, support the development of the ASEAN Community and ASEAN's central role in regional cooperation, and support ASEAN in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs.