Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted the significant progress made in China-ASEAN bilateral cooperation during his remarks at the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday.
Firstly, Wang noted that the concept of a community with a shared future among neighboring countries has grown stronger. China’s bilateral relations with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia have reached new levels, with high-quality, mutually beneficial cooperation continuing to advance.
Secondly, he pointed to the deepening of regional openness and collaboration. The Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area negotiations have been fully concluded, and the formal signing of the protocol is expected within the year. Additionally, the ASEAN-China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit has established a new framework for cross-regional engagement.
Thirdly, regional security cooperation has become more robust. All parties have finalized the third reading of the Code of Conduct draft for the South China Sea, helping to manage maritime differences and maintain overall stability. China has also worked closely with Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and others to combat transnational crimes like telecom fraud and online gambling.
Fourthly, people-to-people exchanges have become more seamless. Over the past two years, China and ASEAN have hosted more than 100 cultural exchange events. The implementation of “Lancang-Mekong” and “ASEAN” visas has made travel between the two sides much more convenient and frequent.
Wang reaffirmed that ASEAN remains central to China’s neighborhood diplomacy and is viewed as a vital area for piloting the broader vision of a shared future for humanity.
He reiterated China’s commitment to principles of good-neighborliness, shared prosperity, and mutual benefit. Wang emphasized that China and ASEAN will continue to promote Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness, aiming to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and united regional community, contributing to the broader revitalization of Asia and the Global South.
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