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Wang Yi Talks about the Directions of China-ASEAN Cooperation in the Next Stage
2022-07-12 16:47

On July 11, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a policy speech on renewing the firm commitment to open regionalism and answered questions at the ASEAN Secretariat.

Wang Yi said that as the world's largest developing country and an important member in Asia, China has always followed a path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening-up. We seek an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, and follow a neighborhood policy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We hope to champion open regionalism together with ASEAN and deepen our comprehensive strategic partnership. China will advance its relations with ASEAN in five key directions.

First, continue to support ASEAN Centrality and promote solidarity and cooperation in the region. China firmly supports ASEAN's role in the "driver's seat", supports ASEAN community-building, and supports the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation architecture. China welcomes ASEAN's efforts to formulate a Post-2025 Vision for the ASEAN Community. We are ready to assist ASEAN countries in achieving their development goals by tapping into such resources as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and the China-ASEAN Cooperation Fund. ASEAN has stressed on many occasions that its Outlook on the Indo-Pacific is an independent initiative that commits to openness and inclusiveness and focuses on dialogue, cooperation and economic development, and that it is not subservient to or targeted against any party. China appreciates this position. We would like to increase synergy and cooperation with ASEAN on the implementation of the Outlook.

Second, call for settling differences in the Asian way and uphold regional peace and stability. We will work with other countries in the region to implement the Global Security Initiative, and deepen cooperation in such areas as defense, counterterrorism, joint maritime search and rescue, combating transnational crimes, and disaster management. We hope to blaze a new path of security that chooses dialogue over confrontation, partnerships over alliances, and win-win over zero-sum game, and put into practice principles for how neighbors may get along: trust as the basis, the greater good as priority, and sincerity in interaction. We are expediting the consultations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, which will serve as institutional safeguards for more effective management of differences in the South China Sea, more vigorous advancement of cooperation and more active joint governance. We will continue to support ASEAN's efforts in building a nuclear-weapon-free zone, and China is ready to sign the protocol to the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone at any time.

Third, pursue firmly the open strategy for development and promote regional economic integration. We will promote post-COVID recovery, develop demonstration zones for Belt and Road international industrial capacity cooperation, enhance the resilience of industrial and supply chains in the region, and ensure smooth trade flows across borders. We are ready to launch a new round of upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area as soon as possible, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership across the board and promote its upgrade in due course and sign high-standard free trade agreements with more countries. China looks forward to closely integrating the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and China-ASEAN cooperation.

Fourth, advance cooperation in science, technology and innovation to stimulate new drivers of development in the region. China will increase input in digital infrastructure and digital transformation in this region, deepen practical cooperation in e-commerce, and strengthen digital connectivity. We are ready to, through the Belt and Road partnership on green development, explore cooperation on low-carbon, circular and green economy, and build platforms for cooperation in clean energy science and technology. We will advance barrier- and discrimination-free scientific and technological innovation that transcends borders, implement well the China-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Enhancing Program, and speed up talent cultivation and technology transfer, to provide a constant source of strength for high-quality economic growth.

Fifth, carry forward Asian values and deepen the bonds of friendship among peoples. We stress the Asian values that feature cherishing family, community, consensus and morality, jointly carry forward and practice Asian values, rise above the zero-sum mentality, and deepen the brotherly bond of sharing weal and woe. We will adopt more measures to facilitate the flow of people and discuss tourism recovery plans with all sides at the proper time. We support the development of an ASEAN travel corridor. In a post-COVID era, we will proactively step up exchanges in culture and between the youth, subnational entities, media and women, to promote mutual understanding, amity and affinity between our peoples.

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