Phnom Penh, 8 August 2022 (TDI): State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, attended the China-ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting on Thursday in Phnom Penh.
During the discussions, representatives from both sides praised the achievements made through their collaboration and comprehensive partnership. Both sides also vowed to further develop their shared future China-ASEAN community.
SC&FM #WangYi attended #China–#ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in #PhnomPenh on Thur, during which #Chinese & #ASEAN sides lauded achievements under comprehensive strategic partnership & vowed to deepen ties. pic.twitter.com/atU2CUguTh
— Ji Rong嵇蓉 (@JiRongMFA) August 7, 2022
The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn and Wang Yi. ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi and the foreign ministers of the ten member states attended the meeting.
China and ASEAN laud achievements under collaboration
China and ASEAN countries jointly announced the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership last year in November. The development of the partnership has gotten off to a good start with promising results yielded in various fields.
Chinese Foreign Minister said that the two sides have cooperated to address the issues and have jointly preserved the region’s peace and stability.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides enhanced their emergency management coordination and showed unity in fighting against the disease.
China and ASEAN jointly implemented the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and enhanced connectivity by creating a highland for development.
Both sides also enhanced cooperation for green development and address climate change for ecological environmental protection. They also strengthened exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, think tanks, and sports.
To make greater contributions to regional peace and development, Wang stated that China is willing to work with ASEAN to advance the creation of a peaceful, secure, and safe home together.
China, ASEAN to strengthen their partnership
Both sides further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership to create a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. During the meeting, Wang Yi put forward a four-point proposal to strengthen the partnership.
Firstly, Wang said that both sides should build a model of common development to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit. Both sides should jointly address the challenges such as public health, energy, and food.
Secondly, both sides set the example of connectivity and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation by inviting other states.
Both sides should also ensure the safety and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains. Cooperation in digital and green economy and negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area also need to accelerate for future development.
Thirdly, both sides should cooperate to promote “Asian contributions” to global governance. Wang said both sides should enhance regionalism, and multilateralism and strengthen ASEAN leadership in the region.
China also promotes cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) that adheres free and open Indo-Pacific.
Fourthly, both sides should jointly maintain peace and stability in the region. China is ready to work with the ASEAN for Global Security Initiative (GSI) to promote security.
Wang said both parties should accelerate discussions on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) and place control of the matter in the hands of the regional states.
Remarks by foreign ministers of ASEAN states
The foreign ministers at the meeting praised the dynamic ASEAN-China cooperation for its substantive depth and notable accomplishments.
They also praised China for its consistent support of ASEAN’s central position. They expressed gratitude for China’s donation of vaccines to ASEAN nations, fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foreign ministers fully support China’s proposal to create a peaceful, secure, prosperous, delightful, and mutually respectful home together. ASEAN with China looking forward to accelerating BRI and AOIP and implementing GSI. ASEAN states view China as a partner with mutual benefit and a shared vision.
