In this image released on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 by Brunei ASEAN Summit, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, center, speaks in the virtual ASEAN-China Summit on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit with the leaders member states in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. (Brunei ASEAN Summit via AP)

       BEIJING (Kyodo) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday voiced willingness to bolster cooperation with ASEAN member states, as its security tensions with the United States have been escalating over regional issues including the South China Sea.

       Li participated in an online meeting with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in which he apparently called for an early conclusion of talks on a so-called code of conduct with ASEAN to avert clashes in the South China Sea.

       "We have always taken ASEAN as a priority in China's diplomacy," Li said during the virtual gathering, adding, "We firmly support ASEAN's greater role in regional and international affairs."

       Li also welcomed the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations this year.

       Claiming sovereignty over almost the entire maritime area, Beijing has rapidly built artificial islands with military infrastructure in the South China Sea -- home to some of the world's busiest sea lanes.

       In a bid to challenge Chinese actions in the waters, U.S. warships have stepped up "freedom of navigation" operations there.

       China, which is competing with the United States for influence in Southeast Asia, is believed to want a code of conduct that would include a provision intended to curb U.S. intervention in the waters.

       ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

       Myanmar's military leader was excluded from the summit after the junta refused to allow an ASEAN special envoy to meet with ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition figures.

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