BEIJING — China on Nov 24 welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN Community, vowing to firmly support ASEAN integration.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei made the remarks in response to a question regarding the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Community, which was adopted at the 27th ASEAN summit on Nov 22.

According to the declaration, the ASEAN Community will be established on Dec 31, 2015 and be comprised of three pillars: the Political and Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community, a milestone in the bloc’s integration.

Hong called the ASEAN Community a landmark in ASEAN integration, adding this first sub-regional community in Asia marks a higher stage of regional cooperation.

China supports ASEAN’s centrality in regional cooperation, Hong said, pledging joint efforts with ASEAN countries to enhance political trust, trade and cultural cooperation, to boost building closer China-ASEAN community of shared destiny.