Kuala lumpur: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that Asia’s stability is crucial to global peace, reaffirming China’s commitment to prioritizing ASEAN in its neighborhood diplomacy amid the rising significance of the Global South.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wang Yi stated that China is dedicated to principles of good-neighborliness, peace, and prosperity, striving to uphold the concept of a ‘shared destiny.’ He stressed the importance of collaborating with ASEAN to promote values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness. Speaking at the ASEAN-China Post-Ministerial Conference, held alongside the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related gatherings, Wang called for learning from history to foster a fair, orderly world with inclusive economic globalization.
The conference was chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is serving as the Chair of the 58th AMM. Wang Yi noted that 2023 marks a significant milestone for ASEAN’s development and revitalization. With the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the impending accession of Timor-Leste, ASEAN is poised for greater unity and strength in facing challenges.
Wang Yi highlighted this year as a fruitful period for China-ASEAN cooperation, citing the completion of negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) Version 3.0, with the protocol signing anticipated later this year. Additionally, he mentioned the ASEAN-China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit as a pioneering model of cross-regional collaboration, held for the first time with the 46th ASEAN Summit in May.
Wang Yi also reported progress on the third reading of the Code of Conduct (COC), which aims to effectively manage differences and safeguard maritime stability. He noted enhanced security collaboration with Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and other partners to combat online gambling, scams, and transnational crimes.
Highlighting President Xi Jinping’s diplomatic visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia in April, Wang Yi described these engagements as pivotal in elevating bilateral ties and deepening people-to-people connections. He pointed out the successful hosting of over a hundred cultural and people-to-people exchange programs over the past two years, and the official implementation of the Lancang-Mekong visa and ASEAN visa, which facilitate travel for family visits and personal exchanges.