Wang Yi met with ASEAN Secretary-General Gao Jinhong to discuss the South China Sea and regional cooperation

China News Service, Beijing, September 16. On September 15, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, met with ASEAN Secretary-General Gao Jinhong in Beijing.

Wang Yi said that China and ASEAN are good neighbors who often visit each other, and are also good friends and partners who trust and support each other. China attaches great importance to ASEAN and regards ASEAN as a priority in its peripheral diplomacy. From the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in the 1950s, to being good friends with neighbors, partnering with neighbors, creating peace, security and prosperity, to the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighboring countries proposed by President Xi Jinping, China's peripheral foreign policy has always maintained continuity and stability. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations. The development of bilateral relations is facing new opportunities. China will continue to support ASEAN's unity and community building, support ASEAN's central position in the regional architecture, and is willing to work with ASEAN to promote the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, build our common home, and provide a paradigm for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wang Yi said that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is in the common interest of countries in the region. China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, advance the consultation process on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly build a new narrative of peace, stability, cooperation, and friendship in the South China Sea.

Gao Jinhong said that China is not only a good neighbor of ASEAN, but also a trustworthy and reliable partner of ASEAN. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both sides, ASEAN-China relations have made great progress. The cooperation between the two sides has the broadest areas, the most pragmatic results, and the most benefit to the people of the region. ASEAN is willing to share opportunities and meet challenges with China, continue to deepen and expand practical cooperation in various fields, and push ASEAN-China relations to a new level. The South China Sea issue should not become an obstacle to ASEAN-China relations. ASEAN is willing to work with China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. (over)