PHNOM PENH, Aug 5 (NNN-AKP) – Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, attended the China-ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting here yesterday, during which the Chinese and ASEAN sides spoke highly of the achievements in their cooperation and pledged to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
The meeting, co-chaired by Wang and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, was attended by the foreign ministers of the 10 member countries of ASEAN and ASEAN Secretary-General, Lim Jock Hoi.
Wang said, since Chinese President, Xi Jinping and leaders of ASEAN, jointly announced the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in Nov, last year, the development of the partnership has got off to a good start with promising results yielded in various fields.
The two sides worked together to meet challenges from various spillovers, and jointly maintained the hard-won peace and stability in the region, safeguarding “an oasis of peace,” he said.
Regarding COVID-19, both sides showed solidarity in fighting the disease, and strengthened cooperation in emergency management so as to build “a shield of safety,” said Wang.
Both sides also jointly implemented the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and accelerated connectivity, creating “a highland for development,” he said.
In addition, the two sides have strengthened cooperation to boost green development, address climate change, enhance ecological environmental protection, and promote energy transformation, while cementing public support by increasing direct flights, helping students from ASEAN countries to return to study in China, in an orderly manner, and strengthening exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, think tanks and sports, he said.
Wang said, China is willing to work with ASEAN to continue advancing the building of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, to implement the important consensuses reached by leaders of the two sides, to continue deepening comprehensive strategic partnership, and to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, so as to make greater contributions to regional peace and development.
Wang proposed the establishment of a China-ASEAN year of cooperation on agricultural development and food security, as well as, the issuance of a joint statement on food security cooperation at the China-ASEAN leaders’ meeting.
The foreign ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the RCEP implementation, and appreciated China for taking the lead in reaching a free trade agreement with ASEAN.
The meeting also approved an action plan of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, which will be submitted to the China-ASEAN leaders’ meeting for endorsement.– NNN-AKP
