China rises to become ASEAN's "most important" dialogue partner

China is now the "most important" dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to ASEAN foreign ministers who held an annual series of meetings last week in Bangkok.Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin made that declaration at Wednesday's ASEAN-China ministerial meeting, saying further that ASEAN's dialogue relations with China "should be the most dynamic and substantive we have in the region."Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, whose country chairs ASEAN this year, said Locsin's sentiment is shared by many in the 10-member bloc and can safely be regar…READ FULL ARTICLE