Depth report

　　

Qin Gang said that ASEAN is one of the most successful regional cooperation organizations. Against the background of profound changes in the international and regional situation, ASEAN's position is more important. At present, the China-Asean comprehensive strategic partnership enjoys sound momentum of development.  China is ready to work with ASEAN to build "Five homelands" and enrich our comprehensive strategic partnership. We will continue to support the work of the ASEAN Secretariat and work together for new achievements in China-Asean cooperation and new progress in East Asia cooperation.

Qin Gang said that at present, with the sluggish recovery of the world economy, the protracted crisis in Ukraine and the lingering shadow of geopolitical game, the Asia-Pacific is faced with a choice between peace and confrontation, cooperation and division. China firmly supports ASEAN centrality and its commitment to strategic independence, openness and inclusiveness. We do not take sides or target any third party. We stand ready to join hands with ASEAN to meet challenges and resist "decoupling and breaking chains" and "building walls".

Gao Jinhong appreciated China's long-term importance and valuable support for ASEAN integration, saying that China is the first major country to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and a vital strategic partner of ASEAN. Our relations have been strategically upgraded, our cooperation deepened and our mutual trust strengthened. We look forward to working with China to take the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and jointly uphold regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The two sides agreed to speed up the FTA 3.0 negotiation process, promote the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, foster more economic growth areas, and make the region continue to be a global development highland. The two sides will jointly host the 20th anniversary of the China-Asean Expo.

The two sides will accelerate the resumption of personnel exchanges in an orderly manner to enhance people-to-people bond between China and ASEAN.

The two sides will push for further progress in consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to provide further institutional safeguards for peace and stability in the South China Sea.

On the same day, Qin Gang met with members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of ASEAN. The two sides believe that China-Asean cooperation is mutually beneficial, dynamic and beneficial to the 2 billion people of the 11 countries. They will enhance synergy between regional sustainable development and global development initiatives, ensure the success of the China-Asean Year of Cooperation on Agricultural development and food security, and expand cooperation in tourism and transportation, digital economy, disaster response, clean energy, medical and health care, capacity building and other fields. Promote connectivity in the region and make supply chains more resilient. Qin stressed that China will continue to give priority to ASEAN in its neighborhood diplomacy, firmly support ASEAN unity and community building, and consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN by focusing on the three pillars of promoting economic growth, maintaining regional stability and strengthening people-to-people exchanges.