Beijing, 29 March 2022 (TDI): Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that the ministers of Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar will visit China to enhance China and ASEAN relations.
The visits will take from March 31 till April 3. However, the foreign minister of Panama will arrive on April 4. The announcement came on March 28.
During a regular press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, remarked that representatives of the four ASEAN member states will come to China at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister.
It is pertinent to note that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Retno L.P. Marsudi, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Don Pramudwinai, and Union Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, U Wunna Maung Lwin, will visit China on behalf of ASEAN.
The objective of these visits shows friendly and harmonious relations between China and ASEAN states. It will further enhance and boost cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels.
In this regard, Wang Yi commented;
“As important ASEAN members, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Myanmar are China’s friendly neighbors and important partners in promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China has kept in contact with ASEAN members to deepen cooperation on anti-pandemic measures and development restoration since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,”
Last year, China and ASEAN held a special summit in November. The purpose of the summit was to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN diplomatic relationship.
During the special summit, both sides announced the creation of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Subsequently, this step opened new avenues and opportunities for the involved states.
In this regard, the spokesperson commented China is hoping to build a consensus during these visits. It will further lead to the advancement of the Global Development Initiative for safe, peaceful, and beautiful spaces for countries.
However, he highlighted Chinese side will exchange views regarding the current regional and international issues. Similarly, it will inject positive energy into regional stability, prosperity, and peace.
Along these lines, the visit of Foreign Ministers has been conducted in the wake of the postponement of the US-ASEAN Summit.
The special US-ASEAN Summit
The Foreign Minister of Cambodia, Prak Sokhonn, has announced that Special US-ASEAN Summit has been delayed. This year, Cambodia will chair the event.
US President, Joe Biden, was due to host the summit on March 28-29. Moreover, the summit was going to place in Washington.
Along these lines, the Cambodian Foreign Minister said that the meeting is extended due to the unavailability of some ASEAN leaders on the available date.
