Southeast Asian countries and China have agreed to strengthen product standards and safety, economic ministers said in Manila Sunday.

Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai said 99 percent of China's exports to the US and Japan have passed quality tests and adhere to global standards.

A joint statement issued by economic ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China at the end of their annual consultations yesterday said product quality and food safety are common challenges being faced by every country. It urged all parties to actively cooperate to improve risk control and ensure quality.

"The ministers agreed to urge government agencies to properly deal with product quality-related cases by strengthening consultations to protect consumers' health without impeding bilateral trade and economic cooperation," it said.

At a joint news conference, Bo said 50 percent manufacturing goods produced in China are made by foreign enterprises, and more than 60 percent of exports are made and inspected according to standards set by foreign importers and buyers.

"In the past 29 years, the annual growth rate of Chinese exports has been 17 percent and this itself shows a high degree of recognition of the made-in-China label on products made by other countries," Bo said.

But even if 0.1 percent of Chinese products don't meet the global standard, the government will try all means to redress the matter, he said.