Wang Yi Attends and Addresses the Reception in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations

On October 8, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the Reception in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and delivered a speech.

Wang Yi said, since the establishment of dialogue relations in 1991, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have embarked on a path of unity and win-win cooperation. The two sides are each other's largest trading partner, most dynamic cooperative partner and most profound strategic partner, bringing huge benefits to the two billion people of the 11 countries and making important contributions to regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Wang Yi said, over the past 30 years, China and ASEAN have carried forward an Asian-style approach to relations and continued good-neighborly friendship. The two sides have adhered to the principle of mutually beneficial cooperation and worked together for development and prosperity. The two sides have adhered to the spirit of partnership through thick and thin, and jointly tackled difficulties and challenges. The two sides have strengthened people-to-people ties of mutual learning and worked together to bring our people closer. The two sides have built an open and inclusive regional architecture and upheld international morality and justice.

Wang Yi said, "A man should be independent at the age of thirty." "Independent" means maturity, and being unruffled and firm. On the occasion of this critical juncture between the past and the future, both sides should cherish the valuable experience gained over the past 30 years, cherish the carefully nurtured friendship, and cherish the hard-won peace and development. Both sides should firmly grasp the correct direction, and further release the potential of cooperation, to build a higher-level strategic partnership, foster a stronger community with a shared future, and create a more enabling strategic environment for the development of our respective countries and the long-term peace and prosperity of the region. Wang Yi put forward a six-point proposal:

First, we need to draw up a blueprint for cooperation and further upgrade bilateral relations. We should follow high-level guidance, deepen strategic communication and political mutual trust, and draw up a new blueprint and set a new benchmark for the long-term development of bilateral relations.

Second, we need to lead the trend of development and create new growth points for practical cooperation. We should synergize our development strategies, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, work for the early implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and speed up regional economic recovery. We should vigorously explore emerging fields such as digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, and blue economy, to promote regional green transformation and sustainable development.

Third, we need to improve people's livelihood and well-being and ensure that the people share the benefits of cooperation. China will continue to do its best to provide vaccines and other anti-pandemic materials to ASEAN countries, support the establishment of regional vaccine production and distribution centers, and jointly improve public health cooperation to ensure the life and health safety of the people in the region. The two sides should strengthen cooperation in poverty reduction, disaster prevention and reduction, social development and other areas to jointly achieve greater common prosperity.

Fourth, we need to carry forward the friendship from generation to generation and strengthen the people-to-people and cultural exchanges. We should give full play to the role of the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund and the China-ASEAN Association, and step up cooperation in culture, tourism, youth, media and think tanks, to consolidate public support for the growth of bilateral relations.

Fifth, we need to focus on the vision of peace and safeguard long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea. We should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, ensure that differences and disputes are properly managed by parties directly concerned through dialogue and consultation, speed up consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), steadily carry out practical maritime cooperation, and work together to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Sixth, we need to follow the global trend and contribute positive energy to global governance. We should hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation, actively implement the Global Development Initiative and jointly participate in global governance. We should practice true multilateralism and open regionalism together, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and reject the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game. We should safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and the people around the world and make the international order more fair and equitable.

Wang Yi stressed that looking into the future, the two sides should continue to keep up the momentum and work together to create an even brighter future for China-ASEAN relations.

Rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Beijing and Brunei Ambassador to China Pehin Dato Rahmani said, over the past 30 years, ASEAN and China have built up strategic mutual trust and expanded mutually beneficial cooperation. ASEAN-China relations have become the most strategic and comprehensive relationship among ASEAN's dialogue partnerships and have maintained a positive momentum of development. ASEAN speaks highly of China for its joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and establishing a strategic partnership with ASEAN , its signing the free trade agreement with ASEAN, and its approving the RCEP, all as the first among ASEAN partners. ASEAN appreciates China's support for its centrality, its cooperation with ASEAN countries to fight the pandemic and its offer of selfless assistance. The consultations on the COC have made continuous progress with enhanced mutual understanding and trust. ASEAN has full confidence in the future of bilateral relations and looks forward to deepening its strategic partnership with China, strengthening the synergy of development strategies, bringing mutual benefits to the two peoples and making greater contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

At the reception, Wang Yi, former Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and President of the China-ASEAN Association Gu Xiulian, Ambassador Rahmani and other officials jointly unveiled the commemorative envelope marking the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations.

Before the reception, Wang Yi met with diplomatic envoys from the ten ASEAN countries.

The Reception in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations was hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and attended by diplomatic envoys from ASEAN countries, heads of Chinese ministries and commissions, experts and scholars.