Wang Yi and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn discuss trade, regional security, and peace efforts during official talks in Beijing.
BEIJING — Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing on 25 July to reaffirm China’s commitment to strengthening ties and practical cooperation with ASEAN.
Describing China and ASEAN as close neighbours with deepening all-round cooperation, Wang Yi underlined that ASEAN remains a priority in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to fostering a peaceful, secure and prosperous region based on amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, in line with the country’s vision of building an even closer China–ASEAN community with a shared future.
Wang Yi outlined three key areas of focus for future cooperation. First, he called on China and ASEAN to jointly to uphold free trade and the multilateral trading system, stressing that misuse of tariffs undermines WTO rules and global supply chain stability. He urged both sides to work together to preserve the integrity of the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Second, Wang Yi stressed the need to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), conclude negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) as scheduled, and promote peaceful dialogue under the “dual-track approach” to ensure stability in the region.
Third, he highlighted the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability amid global conflicts, expressing support for ASEAN’s mediation efforts to resolve recent tensions on the Cambodia–Thailand border through dialogue in the “ASEAN way”.
Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn praised the steady progress of ASEAN–China relations and thanked China for its firm support of ASEAN centrality and community-building efforts. He said ASEAN looks forward to marking the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN–China comprehensive strategic partnership in 2026 by deepening strategic alignment and cooperation in various fields.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China
