China actively participates and firmly supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-centered regional cooperation architecture, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said on Thursday during the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Wang hailed the cooperation results between China and ASEAN, saying that China has reached a consensus with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia on building a community with a shared future.
Since China proposed jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road a decade ago, landmark projects have been completed, such as the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway connecting Cambodia's capital and Sihanoukville, and the launch of cross-border passenger services between China and ASEAN on the China-Laos Railway, he said.
The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has opened a golden channel for trans-regional cooperation, bringing tangible benefits for over two billion people, he said.
China and ASEAN have also taken the lead in establishing a free trade area that drives the process of regional integration, Wang noted.
The two sides have become each other's largest trading partners, and the trade volume is expected to exceed $1 trillion this year, he said, adding that both sides are actively pushing forward negotiations on version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, and advocating free trade and market opening.
China welcomes the completion of the second reading of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and is ready to continue to play a constructive role in the early conclusion of the COC, he said.
Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, speaks at the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 13, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
Advancing comprehensive strategic partnership
China and ASEAN also vowed to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership at the meeting.
Wang said China will continue to be committed to high-quality development and provide new opportunities for all countries with Chinese modernization. It is ready to strengthen solidarity and coordination with ASEAN to advance the modernization process in Asia, the senior Chinese diplomat added.
China will work together with ASEAN to advance the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and make new contributions to peace and prosperity in the region, he said.
The ASEAN parties thanked China for supporting ASEAN centrality and community building and appreciated China taking the lead in expressing willingness to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.
The statement added that the parties looked forward to seeing the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership advance to a new level and make new achievements.
A joint statement on the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and a guideline document for expediting the conclusion of the COC in the South China Sea were adopted at the meeting.
(With input from Xinhua)
(Cover: ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting is held in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 13, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry )