Wang Yi Attends ASEAN-China (10+1) Foreign Ministers' Meeting

On August 4, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi jointly chaired the ASEAN-China (10+1) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh, which was attended by ASEAN foreign ministers and ASEAN Secretary-General.

Wang Yi congratulated the ASEAN community on its great achievements, saying that President Xi Jinping and leaders of the ASEAN countries jointly announced the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides in November last year. For more than half a year, China-ASEAN cooperation in various fields has yielded promising results and the comprehensive strategic partnership has got off to a good start. We have worked together to meet the challenges from various spillovers, and jointly maintained the hard-won peace and stability in the region, safeguarding "an oasis of peace". We have shown solidarity in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthened cooperation in emergency management, building "a shield of safety". We have jointly implemented the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and accelerated connectivity, creating "a highland for development". We have launched the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation and enhanced cooperation on green development, climate change response, environmental protection and energy transition, bringing together "green drivers". We have increased direct flights between China and ASEAN countries, arranged for students from ASEAN countries to return to China to resume classes in an orderly manner, and strengthened exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism and sports and between think tanks, cementing the "pillar of public support".

Wang Yi said that China is willing to work with ASEAN to continue advancing the building of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, implement the important consensuses reached by the leaders, continue deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership, and build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, so as to make greater contributions to regional peace and development. Wang Yi put forward China's proposal in this regard.

First, the two sides should build a model of common development. Both sides should strengthen the synergy of development strategies to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. China is stepping up efforts to honor its commitment to providing development assistance for ASEAN countries, and push forward the implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in ASEAN countries. Both sides should actively unleash new growth drivers and address pressing challenges such as public health, food and energy.

Second, the two sides should set an example of connectivity. Both sides should join hands to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and more countries are welcome to participate in the joint construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and ensure the safety and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains. The two sides should push for high-quality RCEP implementation, accelerate the follow-up negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, expand cooperation in the digital and green economy and promote open regional economic integration. The two sides should strengthen personnel exchanges and enhance people-to-people connectivity.

Third, the two sides should strengthen coordination on global governance. The two sides should uphold open regionalism, carry forward true multilateralism, expand and strengthen the ASEAN-led regional architecture, pool "strengths of Asia" and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries, so as to make "Asian contributions" to global governance. China appreciates that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) adheres to independence, upholds openness and inclusiveness, and focuses on development and cooperation. China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to jointly enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the AOIP as well as between the GDI and the AOIP.

Fourth, the two sides should jointly maintain regional peace and stability. The Global Security Initiative (GSI) shares the security philosophy advocated by ASEAN and meets the purpose of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which has received positive responses from ASEAN countries. China is ready to work with ASEAN to explore the implementation of the GSI in ASEAN. Both sides should speed up consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and hold the key to the South China Sea issue in the hands of regional countries, so as to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.

Wang Yi proposed the establishment of a China-ASEAN year of cooperation on agricultural development and food security, as well as the issuance of a joint statement on food security cooperation at the China-ASEAN leaders' meeting. The Chinese side also circulated a document on China's support for ASEAN's central position, a list for cooperation in four priority areas to support the AOIP, a report on the progress of building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, and a fact list on building a China-ASEAN blue economy partnership, among others.

The foreign ministers attending the meeting spoke highly of the dynamic ASEAN-China cooperation with rich connotations and remarkable achievements since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides, appreciated China's consistent support for ASEAN's central position, and thanked China for providing vaccines assistance to ASEAN countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Viewing China as a partner with mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and a shared vision, ASEAN countries expressed their full endorsement of President Xi's proposal to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together. ASEAN countries look forward to the synergy of the BRI and the AOIP, and further exploring the implementation of the GDI and the GSI in ASEAN. The foreign ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made in RCEP implementation, and appreciated China for taking the lead in reaching a free trade agreement with ASEAN. They look forward to accelerating follow-up negotiations on upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and pushing for substantive progress in the consultation of the COC to jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Wang Yi further expounded on China's solemn position on the provocation by the U.S. side to infringe on China's sovereignty. All parties said that they adhere to the one-China principle, and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. ASEAN foreign ministers also issued a statement on the cross-Strait situation, reiterating the adherence to the one-China principle.

The meeting also approved an action plan for the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, which will be submitted to the China-ASEAN Summit for ratification.