Wang Yi calls for sound, sustainable development of China-ASEAN ties

China is ready to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to maintain the momentum of sound and sustainable development of China-ASEAN relations and continue to make joint contributions to regional peace and development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with diplomatic envoys from 10 ASEAN countries in Beijing.

Calling China and ASEAN good friends, neighbors and partners, Wang said China-ASEAN relations have provided valuable stability for the region and the world.

China will continue to firmly support ASEAN's centrality, he stressed.

Noting that China firmly advocates and practices true multilateralism, he said China will promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all with ASEAN countries, aiming to build a more just and reasonable global governance system.

He welcomed ASEAN countries to seize new opportunities brought by China's development and work together to achieve modernization in Asia and the world.

Diplomatic envoys from ASEAN countries in China emphasized that this year marks an important milestone in the establishment of diplomatic ties between many ASEAN nations and China.

They expressed their hopes to seize this opportunity to unlock the potential for bilateral cooperation in areas such as economy, trade and investment, connectivity, the digital economy, green transformation and sustainable development. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring the success of the Year of people-to-people Exchanges and advancing ASEAN-China relations, as well as bilateral ties, to new heights.

(With input from Xinhua)