China-Asean partnership key to global stability: China's foreign minister Wang Yi

China's foreign minister Wang Yi said on Jul. 10 that China is the world's most dependable stabilising force, and an Asean-China partnership is the key to global stability, Xinhua News said.

Wang was speaking in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the Asean-China Post-Ministerial Conference, in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AFMM) held over four days from Jul. 8 to 11.

Mutual support

In his opening address, Wang said that China considers Asean a key element in the step towards neighbourhood diplomacy, and a trailblazer in building communities with a shared goal, Xinhua reported.

He added that China and Asean share many similar development concepts, demands and interests and should rely on each other for Asia's advancement.

"We should support and achieve success for each other in promoting the modernisation process of Asia," he said.

Asia's stability is especially essential as it is the key to global stability, Wang also said, according to Bernama.

"In this time of global change, facing choices of unity or division and peace or conflict, we must learn from history and promote a fair, orderly world with inclusive economic globalisation."

Four goals for ASEAN-China

Wang set out four ways the ASEAN-China cooperation can set an example for the world, as summarised by Xinhua.

Fairness and justice

First, in defending international fairness and justice, both parties must uphold international order set about by the United Nations, in order to safeguard the global system.

Wang said China supports and is willing to work with Asean countries to contribute to global and regional governance.

Peace and stability

Second, in maintaining regional peace and stability, Wang said China is willing to lead the signing of the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, which aims to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons.

Raising the South China Sea as an example, he added that China is willing to work with Asean to protect and maintain order and safety is the region.

Mutually beneficial partnership

Third, to establish a mutually beneficial partnership, Wang said China would be willing to build the third version of the China-Asean Free Trade Area alongside Asean and implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

A high-level free trade network includes the Belt and Road initiative, production and supply chains with Asean, and cooperation in the development of artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and clean energy, he added.

Inclusiveness and mutual learning

Lastly, to promote inclusivity and mutual learning, Wang said China is willing to continue partaking in mutual dialogues and exchanges with Asean countries.

He specifically mentioned exchanges in education, youth, think tanks and media, and the organisation of the "year of people-to-people exchange".

A fruitful year

Wang closed off the speech noting the fruitful year in the Asean-China cooperation, highlighting key achievements like finalising the third reading of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea and deepening security collaborations with countries like Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, Bernama said.

"For two consecutive years, we have hosted over a hundred cultural and people-to-people exchange programmes," he spoke of the diplomatic engagements between China and Asean.

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Top image via Xinhua