Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday highlighted the tangible achievements of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the past five years and stressed the need for greater unity between China and ASEAN in addressing emerging challenges and uncertainties.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while attending the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila.

He outlined four major areas of progress that have strengthened ties between China and ASEAN.

The first is the steady progress in building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. Wang said China has reached important consensus with eight ASEAN member states on jointly forming a community with a shared future bilaterally.

Second, economic and trade cooperation has continued to grow. Following the formal signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, China and ASEAN have remained each other's largest trading partners for six consecutive years, with bilateral trade surpassing $1 trillion in 2025, Wang said.

Third, China and ASEAN have demonstrated solidarity in times of crisis. Wang cited China's rapid emergency assistance following major earthquakes in Myanmar and Mindanao in the Philippines as an example of mutual support.

Fourth, people-to-people exchanges have expanded significantly. Wang noted that nearly 200 major and well-received events were held during the 2024-2025 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, while a dedicated visa facilitation scheme for ASEAN countries was introduced to make cross-border travel more convenient.

While recognizing the fruitful outcomes of China-ASEAN cooperation, Wang said China is ready to work with ASEAN to ensure that their partnership continues to serve as an engine for Asia's development and revitalization, a model for Asia-Pacific regional cooperation, and a benchmark for the solidarity and self-strengthening of the Global South.

Wang put forward four proposals for further advancing China-ASEAN cooperation.

First, to safeguard the regional environment for peace and development. Wang said all sides should champion the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, firmly reject unjustified external interference, oppose patching up exclusive small groupings, refuse to be drawn into camp-based confrontation and never allow militarism to stage a comeback.

Second, to bolster the resilience of regional development. Wang said that all sides should stay committed to open cooperation, deepen development integration, advance the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, and implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at a high standard, while enhancing food, energy security and supply chain stability in the region.

Third, to advance green and innovation-driven development. Wang said that all sides should expand cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and submarine cables. Efforts should be made to explore synergy with the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, and step up collaboration in climate response, clean energy, green agriculture and the blue economy, he added.

Fourth, to remain people-centered. Wang said that all sides should promote inclusive and equitable development to ensure that the outcomes of China-ASEAN cooperation are tangible and accessible and deliver greater benefits to the people of all countries. China stands ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN in poverty reduction, public health, education, youth, think tanks, tourism, media, culture and other fields, he noted.

Wang also reiterated China's position on the South China Sea issue, urging regional countries to strictly honor the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

He called on regional countries to resist external attempts to stoke tensions, reject any nation's efforts to stir trouble in the South China Sea and keep the initiative for safeguarding regional peace and stability firmly in their own hands.

Wang said a critical window has opened for finalizing the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, calling on all parties to seize the opportunity, prevent external interference and work toward achieving the goal.

During the meeting, all parties agreed that China is one of ASEAN's most important neighbors and dialogue partners, as well as its largest trading partner. In the face of a turbulent international landscape, ASEAN countries look forward to closer strategic coordination with China to bolster their own development resilience and advance high-quality connectivity.

They also voiced support for deeper cooperation in trade and investment, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, climate change, clean energy and efforts to combat transnational crime.

All sides expressed the hope of reaching a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea as early as possible this year, in a joint effort to uphold peace and stability in the region.

The meeting adopted the joint statement of the China-ASEAN foreign ministers on addressing the impact of the evolving situation in the Middle East on the region and strengthening regional energy cooperation.