Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (third right) holds talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn (second left) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Aug 3, 2022. (WU CHANGWE / XINHUA)
PHNOM PENH – Foreign ministers of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries on Thursday spoke highly of the achievements in their cooperation and pledged to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
The pledge came at the China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting held in Phnom Penh.
Co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, the meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of 10 ASEAN member countries and ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi.
The development of the partnership has got off to a good start with promising results yielded in various fields since Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of the ASEAN countries jointly announced the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in November last year, said Wang.
The two sides have worked together to meet the challenges from various spillovers, and jointly maintained the hard-won peace and stability in the region, safeguarding "an oasis of peace," he said.
China and ASEAN should boost the synergy between their development strategies and build a model of common development, said Wang
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides showed solidarity in fighting the disease and strengthened cooperation in emergency management so as to build "a shield of safety," he said.
Both sides also jointly implemented the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and accelerated connectivity, creating "a highland for development," he said.
Wang said that China is willing to work with ASEAN to continue advancing the building of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, to implement the important consensuses reached by the leaders of the two sides, to continue deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership, and to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, so as to make greater contributions to regional peace and development.
He proposed that the two sides should build a model of common development, strengthening the synergy between their development strategies, to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit.
Stressing the need to set an example of connectivity, he said both sides should join hands to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, welcome more countries to participate in the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and ensure the safety and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains.
China and ASEAN should work together to push for high-quality RCEP implementation, accelerate the follow-up negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, and expand cooperation in digital and green economy, he said.
This March 29, 2022 photo shows packages of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (LY LAY / XINHUA)
To strengthen coordination on global governance, the two sides should uphold open regionalism, promote true multilateralism, expand and strengthen the ASEAN-led regional structure, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries, said Wang.
China appreciates that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) adheres to independence, openness and inclusiveness, and focuses on development and cooperation, Wang said, adding China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to jointly enhance the synergy between the outlook and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as between that and the GDI, he said.
The Chinese diplomat also proposed that the two sides should jointly maintain regional peace and stability. Saying that the Global Security Initiative (GSI) shares the security philosophy advocated by ASEAN, he said China is ready to work with ASEAN to explore the implementation of the initiative in ASEAN countries.
Wang reiterated teh call to speed up consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and hold the key to the issue in the hands of regional countries, and thus turn the South China Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.
He proposed the establishment of a China-ASEAN year of cooperation on agricultural development and food security, as well as the issuance of a joint statement on food security cooperation at the China-ASEAN leaders' meeting.
This aerial photo taken on Sept 10, 2021 shows a view of the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, the venue of the 18th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, and its neighboring buildings in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (CAO YIMING / XINHUA)
During the meeting, the Chinese side also circulated a document on China's support for ASEAN's central position, a list on supporting cooperation in the four priority areas of the AOIP, a progress report on building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, and a fact list on building a China-ASEAN blue economy partnership, among others.
The foreign ministers attending the meeting spoke highly of the dynamic ASEAN-China cooperation with rich substance and remarkable achievements since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides, appreciated China's consistent support for ASEAN's central position, and thanked China for providing COVID-19 vaccines to ASEAN countries.
All parties at the meeting said they adhere to the one-China policy, and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity
Viewing China as a partner with mutual benefit and a shared vision, ASEAN countries said they fully endorse President Xi's proposal to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, and look forward to the synergy of the BRI and the AOIP, and to further exploring the implementation of the GDI and the GSI in ASEAN.
The foreign ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made in RCEP implementation, and appreciated China for taking the lead in reaching a free trade agreement with ASEAN.
They said they look forward to accelerating follow-up negotiations on upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and pushing for substantive progress in the consultation of the COC to jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.
During the meeting, Wang further expounded on China's solemn stance on the provocation by the US side to infringe on China's sovereignty.
All parties at the meeting said they adhere to the one-China policy, and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ASEAN foreign ministers also issued a statement on the cross-straits situation, reiterating their countries' firm adherence to the one-China principle.
The meeting also approved an action plan of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, which will be submitted to the China-ASEAN leaders' meeting for endorsement.