16th ASEAN Regional Forum opens in Phuket

The 16th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum is opened in Phuket, Thailand, July 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan talks before the opening of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum in Phuket, Thailand, July 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan (1st L, front) and Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya (2nd L, front) attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum in Phuket, Thailand, July 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (C) attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum in Phuket, Thailand, July 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

Representatives attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum pose for a group photo in Phuket, Thailand, July 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

Representatives attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum pose for a group photo in Phuket, Thailand, July 23, 2009.