On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that facing a new environment in its neighborhood, China acted as a pillar of the region. In this changing and turbulent world, Asia is widely recognized as a center of global development and prosperity, and China's relations with its neighboring countries are at their best since modern times. Meanwhile, as regional dynamics are deeply affected by the changes in the international landscape, maintaining the prosperity and stability of this neighborhood requires persistent efforts.

Wang Yi said, at this crucial juncture in the evolution of the regional situation, the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting on work related to neighboring countries, the first of its kind since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Affirming the important position of the neighboring region in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the meeting set out the vision of building a "peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home", and established the overarching goal of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. This sent a strategic signal of working together with neighboring countries for a bright future, and injected new and strong momentum into the development of China's relations with neighboring countries.

Wang Yi said that the neighboring region featured prominently in the diplomatic events hosted by President Xi Jinping and in his important overseas visits this year. The visit to Southeast Asian countries boosted China's relations with the whole region, consolidated good-neighborliness with ASEAN countries, advanced mutually beneficial cooperation, and garnered efforts to meet common challenges. The Russia trip reinforced the China-Russia friendship, defended historic justice, and elevated the mutual trust and cooperation between the two big neighbors to a new height. During the Central Asia visit, the concept of China-Central Asia spirit was introduced for the first time, a treaty on permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation was signed, and the foundation for long-term stability to the northwest was solidified. The trip to Northeast Asia spearheaded Asia-Pacific cooperation, and pushed for the improvement and development of China-ROK relations. Also, this year, China invited the leaders of India and the DPRK to China. China-India relations showed a good momentum, and the traditional friendship with the DPRK was cemented and further promoted. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit was held in Tianjin. Chaired by President Xi Jinping, it was a resounding success, with the adoption of a 10-year strategy for SCO development, the launch of four regional security centers, the establishment of six cooperation platforms, and the signing of several dozen cooperation documents covering various fields. China's engagement with neighboring countries entered a new stage of building a community with a shared future at a faster pace.

Wang Yi said, as again proved by the development trajectory of relations between China and neighboring countries and the evolution of the regional environment in the past year, having China as a neighbor is a good, fortunate thing. Instead of vying for geopolitical advantage, China is committed to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. Instead of seeking a sphere of influence, China promotes a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. Instead of dictating decision making, China advocates, with concrete actions, joint consultation in regional affairs. The neighborhood of China now stands as a center of excellence for good-neighborliness and friendship.