From October 29 to 30, 2023, the 21st East Asia Forum was held in Yuxi, Yunnan. Around 100 people, including Director General for ASEAN Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Dr. Un Kheang, Acting Head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting Delegation of the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam Vu Ho, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Robert Matheus Michael Tene, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Chung Byung-won, Deputy Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Hayashi Makoto, and representatives of government and industrial and academic communities of ASEAN countries, China, Japan and the ROK attended the event and had an in-depth discussion on the theme of "Joining Hands to Create New Development Opportunities for Shared Peace and Prosperity in East Asia".

Assistant Foreign Minster Nong Rong led the Chinese delegation to attend the event, and made remarks at the opening ceremony. Nong Rong said that the East Asia Forum, as the only mechanism of exchanges among government, industry and academia within the framework of ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation, has played an important role in promoting exchanges and cooperation among countries in the region and promoting East Asian integration. Since the founding of the Forum 20 years ago, APT countries have successfully established an East Asian production network and become a global growth engine; continuously improved the mechanism building and joined hands in responding to multiple challenges; and constantly enhanced people-to-people ties and tightened the bond of people-to-people and cultural exchanges. APT cooperation has yielded fruitful outcomes, and has been the forerunner of East Asian cooperation. Under new circumstances, all parties should continuously strengthen communication and solidarity, deepen integrated development, stay committed to innovation-driven development, and enhance capacity in response to crises. China is ready to uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy to work with all other parties to work for greater development of East Asian cooperation.