China and ASEAN pledge deeper cooperation for a shared future

In Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, reaffirming China’s intention to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. Wang, who sits on the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized that ASEAN is a top priority in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy, noting the milestone anniversaries of their strategic partnership and dialogue relations.

He pledged continued support for ASEAN’s unity and its centrality in the regional framework, and stressed that peace and stability in the South China Sea serve the common interests of all parties. China offered to work with ASEAN to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, advance consultations on a code of conduct, and promote a narrative of cooperation and friendship. Kao Kim Hourn responded that ASEAN is ready to share opportunities, tackle challenges together, and deepen practical cooperation across various fields while jointly maintaining regional peace.