China, ASEAN Chart Closer Future Amid Regional Shifts

Beijing stresses partnership as bloc seeks deeper ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing, reaffirming China’s commitment to its Southeast Asian neighbors and outlining a vision for enhanced cooperation.

Pillars of Partnership

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized China’s consistent prioritization of ASEAN in its regional diplomacy. He expressed support for the bloc’s amplified role in international and regional arenas.

Under the guidance of a recent high-level conference on neighboring countries, China aims to foster a more integrated China-ASEAN community with a shared destiny. Wang Yi identified three crucial areas for joint focus.

Economic Solidarity and Trade

The two sides are set to champion free trade and the multilateral trading system. As significant players in the Global South, China and ASEAN will bolster their solidarity to counter unilateralism, uphold World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, and preserve the integrity of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

This collaboration is vital as global trade protectionism sees a rise. For instance, in 2023, the WTO reported a 50% increase in the number of trade restrictions imposed by G20 economies compared to the previous year (WTO, October 2023).

South China Sea Stability

Furthermore, the commitment to fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea was highlighted. The goal is to cultivate a new narrative of peace, friendship, and cooperation within the vital waterway.

Regional Peace and De-escalation

Maintaining regional peace and stability remains a key objective. Wang Yi voiced deep concern over recent border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand that resulted in casualties. He assured that China, as a common friend and neighbor, would maintain impartiality and actively assist in de-escalating tensions.

ASEAN’s Perspective

Kao Kim Hourn expressed gratitude for China’s steadfast support of ASEAN’s central role in regional cooperation and its community-building efforts. ASEAN anticipates leveraging the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership in 2026 to deepen strategic alignment and practical collaboration across all sectors.

He also thanked China for its proactive role in promoting peace talks concerning the recent Cambodia-Thailand border tensions.