On July 13, 2023 local time, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attended the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta. Also present were foreign ministers of ASEAN member states, representatives of ASEAN observer states, and ASEAN Secretary-General.

Wang Yi said that 20 years ago, Chinese and ASEAN leaders jointly witnessed China's signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and issued the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, marking a new stage in China-ASEAN relations. China was the first to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. This move has showcased China's commitment to the diplomatic tradition of treating all countries equally regardless of their size, demonstrated China's firm support for ASEAN's development and growth, reflected China's policy of good-neighborliness and friendship towards its neighbors, and encouraged other major countries to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in succession. ASEAN has thus seen the number of its dialogue partners keep increasing and its international status keeps rising. China is glad about this.

Wang Yi said that over the past 20 years, China and ASEAN have actively acted on the purposes and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, expanded mutually beneficial cooperation on all fronts, and successfully found the right path featuring long-term good-neighborliness and friendship, and common development and prosperity. East Asia has also become the region with the fastest economic development in the world and rapid improvement of people's living standards. The two sides have joined hands to promote the building of a community with a shared future, with the awareness of sharing weal and woe deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The two sides have joined hands to advance Belt and Road cooperation, with tangible benefits brought to more than 2 billion people. The two sides have joined hands to promote regional economic integration and firmly advocate free trade and market openness. The two sides have joined hands to consolidate the foundation of peace and stability, and supported the growth of the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation architecture in the principle of openness and inclusiveness and free from disruptions.

Wang Yi said that China supports ASEAN in building an economic growth center. China is committed to high-quality development, and will provide new opportunities for other countries through Chinese modernization. China is ready to work with ASEAN to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and jointly advance the process of a modernized Asia.

First, jointly carry forward the spirit of amity and cooperation. It is important to stay committed to the purposes and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, explore the ways to leverage the strengths of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in a coordinated manner, properly inherit and carry forward Asian wisdom, practice true multilateralism, and maintain regional rules and order. China reiterates its readiness to be the first to sign the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone.

Second, jointly uphold open regionalism. It is important to firmly advance regional integration, resist de-globalization and "decoupling and severing supply chains" in whatever forms, and keep regional industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded. Efforts should be made to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the Belt and Road Initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, accelerate the negotiations on a Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, and strengthen the alignment and cooperation regarding the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Hainan Free Trade Port and ASEAN development plans.

Third, jointly release new cooperation potential. It is important to step up cooperation in emerging industries and strengthen policy alignment. Continued efforts should be made to deepen cooperation on blue economy. The year 2024 will be designated as the China-ASEAN Year of Cultural and People-to-people Exchanges to help restore cross-border travels, and exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations between the two sides.

Fourth, jointly address global risks and challenges. It is important to ensure the success of a series of events marking the ASEAN-China Year of Agricultural Development and Food Security Cooperation this year to raise the level of regional food security. Efforts should be made to establish a China-ASEAN clean energy cooperation center as soon as possible, to promote regional energy transition. China will continue its support for the building of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center.

Fifth, jointly maintain regional peace and stability. It is important to continue abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and strive to reach the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea at an early date, so as to better maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and build it into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation rather than a chessboard for major-power rivalry.

Wang Yi stressed that China and ASEAN are always neighbors and partners, and even brothers and sisters. The two sides have been connected in the past and will definitely be so in the future. Following the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness proposed by President Xi Jinping, China will unswervingly pursue a friendly and cooperative policy towards ASEAN and stay committed to common development and revitalization with ASEAN countries. China looks forward to jointly pushing forward the continuous development of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and making new contributions to regional peace and prosperity.

All parties said that ASEAN-China cooperation in various fields has shown great vitality and made important contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity. China has become a strong partner of ASEAN, and their cooperation has made progress on all fronts. All other parties expressed gratitude for China's support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN Community building, and applauded the fact that China is the first to express the readiness to sign the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone. All parties welcome the important progress made in the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. That has demonstrated the solidarity and mutual trust among regional countries and set a fine example for peacefully resolving disputes. All other parties expressed readiness to work with China to accelerate the negotiations on a new round of upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, strengthen connectivity, and promote open, inclusive and sustainable growth. All parties will stay committed to building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together, and deepen cooperation in such areas as poverty reduction, green development, digital economy, tourism, customs facilitation. All parties expect the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership to continue scaling new heights and yielding new outcomes.

The meeting adopted the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Commemorating and Reflecting on the 20th Anniversary of China's Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and a guideline document for expediting the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.