MANILA - As the new coordinator of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, the Philippines is looking forward to making contributions to further the relationship between ASEAN and China, a senior Philippine diplomat said.

Enrique Manalo, undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, told Xinhua late Friday night that the Philippines will formally take over as the coordinator of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China dialogue relations starting next week.

Manalo said as the coordinator country, the Philippines is looking forward to strengthening the bond between ASEAN and China.

"Our coordinator ship will be aiming to see how we can further our relationship," he said.

The ASEAN member states take turns in being a country coordinator for each of the dialogue relationships. Singapore now is the country coordinator for ASEAN-China dialogue relations.

During the China-ASEAN foreign ministers meeting next week in Singapore, the Philippines will be the new country coordinator.

Manalo also hailed China's key role in this region. "China of course plays a very important role in enhancing the regional growth, stability and peace. And furthermore, I think we can work together in the economic and politic fields so we can build a stronger region," the Philippine senior diplomat added.

As the new country coordinator for ASEAN-China dialogue relations, the Philippines will keep promoting the negotiation of the code of conduct in the South China Sea to achieve more positive progress, said Manalo.

"One of our priorities will be continuing the negotiation of the code of conduct in the South China Sea. We will see how we can move forward on the negotiation," said Manalo.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.