July 26 – The ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place in Vientiane on Friday, where both parties celebrated their successful cooperation and committed to further enhancing economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. The meeting was co-hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and took place in Laos, which is currently chairing ASEAN.
Wang Yi highlighted the strong and beneficial partnership between China and ASEAN, noting the steady progress in building a China-ASEAN community. He emphasized the positive impact on the two billion people across both sides, with advancements in economic ties, cultural exchanges, connectivity, and new growth drivers.
Wang Yi mentioned that China’s modernization, driven by reforms and new productive forces, offers expanded opportunities for ASEAN and other global regions. He stressed that China’s economic growth will contribute to regional and global development.
He further said that China is ready to share development opportunities with ASEAN and support their modernization efforts. Wang praised the 33-year China-ASEAN relationship as a successful model and reaffirmed China’s support for ASEAN’s strategic autonomy and regional cooperation mechanisms.
Wang Yi expressed support for Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship and committed to boosting connectivity and strengthening the China-ASEAN community. He called for accelerating the upgrade of the China-ASEAN free trade agreement, enhancing regional industrial and supply chains, and expanding local currency use.
Wang also urged collaborative efforts to make the 2024 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges successful. He discussed China’s stance on the South China Sea and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the region.
Attendees praised China’s role in promoting regional peace and supported China’s global initiatives. They expressed eagerness to strengthen ASEAN-China cooperation in various sectors and enhance people-to-people ties. The attendees remarked that it is important to adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and carry forward the Bandung Spirit.
The meeting saw positive progress in the South China Sea Code of Conduct negotiations, and participants agreed to continue working together to maintain regional peace and safety.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Wang Yi engaged in discussions with several foreign officials, including ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, EU High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.
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