China News Service, Beijing, August 3. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, attended the China-ASEAN (10+1) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the 3rd by video. The 10 ASEAN foreign ministers and the ASEAN Secretary-General attended the meeting.

　　Wang Yi said that ASEAN occupies an important position in the overall situation of China's diplomacy and is the priority direction of China's neighboring diplomacy.

Since the foreign ministers' meeting last year, the leaders of the two sides have maintained strategic communication to provide political guidance for China-ASEAN relations.

The friendly cooperation between the two sides has made new and important progress.

The first is to unite in the fight against the epidemic to interpret friendship with neighbors.

China regards ASEAN as its primary partner in anti-epidemic cooperation. So far, it has provided more than 190 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and other large quantities of anti-epidemic materials to ten ASEAN countries.

The two parties have launched the China-ASEAN Public Health Cooperation Initiative, constantly improving the "China-ASEAN Vaccine Friends" platform, and promoting vaccine policy communication and information sharing.

Second, trade and investment cooperation is remarkable.

The two sides maintain the safety, stability and smooth flow of the regional industrial chain. The policy dividends of the free trade agreement upgrade "Protocol" continue to be released, and the total trade and investment between the two sides are in a leading position.

The third is the steady progress of sustainable development cooperation.

The two sides have organized social development and poverty reduction cooperation forums, environmental cooperation weeks and other activities. They are actively preparing to hold the first China-ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Disaster Management within this year, and maintain close communication and coordination on the establishment of a blue economy partnership.

Fourth, the negotiation on the "South China Sea Code of Conduct" maintained momentum.

The two sides agreed to resume consultations on the text of the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" and intensively hold special video conferences and joint working group meetings, which demonstrates the firm willingness to fully implement the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", accelerate consultations on the "Code", and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

　　Wang Yi said that not long ago, the Chinese people solemnly celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China.

The Communist Party of China is uniting and leading the Chinese people, and continues to advance towards the goal of building a modern and powerful socialist country in an all-round way.

The current epidemic situation in China is under effective control, the economy continues to improve, and the society is harmonious and stable, which strongly boosts confidence in global economic recovery.

On the new journey, China will unswervingly expand its opening up, actively build a new development pattern, provide new opportunities for the world with its own new development, bring new opportunities for China-ASEAN cooperation, and inject new momentum into it.

　　Wang Yi said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN.

Standing at 30, we should work together to create a new era of cooperation. China is willing to send four clear messages:

　　One is to continue to deepen anti-epidemic cooperation.

China is willing to stand firmly with ASEAN countries to fully meet the needs of ASEAN countries for vaccines and other anti-epidemic materials, fully support ASEAN countries in building a regional vaccine production and distribution center, and fully promote the implementation of China-ASEAN public health cooperation initiatives, and jointly improve regional public The level of health crisis response.

China has always participated in international cooperation on the traceability of the new crown virus with an open and transparent attitude, and has accepted WHO experts twice to come to China for joint research.

Support scientists in a professional spirit, on the basis of the first-stage traceability research report issued by the WHO, and in accordance with the recommendations of the report, carry out the next traceability work in many countries where early cases have been found, so as to truly provide for the response to new epidemics. B.

China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to resolutely oppose the politicization of scientific issues, resolutely resist the ravages of the "political virus", and ensure the smooth and healthy development of international anti-epidemic cooperation.

　　The second is to vigorously promote economic recovery.

China is willing to work with ASEAN to implement the "ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework" as the main line, based on trade and investment cooperation, and taking digital economy and green development as new growth points to create a new pattern of bilateral recovery cooperation in an all-round way.

It is necessary to implement the "Protocol" for upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and promote the early implementation of the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement".

Deepen the integration of the "One Belt and One Road" initiative with the "ASEAN Interconnection Master Plan 2025" to promote high-quality infrastructure cooperation.

Complete the formulation of a digital economy partnership action plan as soon as possible, and work together to promote fair and accessible digital infrastructure.

We must vigorously promote cooperation in science and technology innovation, accelerate technology transfer, and build a platform for innovation and entrepreneurship cooperation. We look forward to the early institutionalization of the China-ASEAN Science and Technology Ministerial Meeting.

It is proposed to extend the sustainable development cooperation year to 2022, continue to be the theme of cooperation between the two sides, and focus on strengthening cooperation in areas such as green development and low-carbon transformation.

I look forward to hosting the second China-ASEAN Blue Economy Seminar as soon as possible.

China is willing to negotiate with ASEAN to sign a memorandum of understanding on international development cooperation, and actively consider the establishment of development cooperation institutions in ASEAN countries.

China will also continue to increase its capital to the China-ASEAN Cooperation Fund, support the development of larger and stronger elite scholarships and other flagship humanities exchange programs, and further consolidate the social and cultural cooperation between the two sides.

　　The third is to consolidate the existing regional cooperation framework.

China firmly supports ASEAN’s central position, firmly supports ASEAN in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, understands ASEAN’s original intentions in putting forward its own vision and ideas on the regional structure, and is willing to discuss with ASEAN to advance specific cooperation in areas of consensus.

At the same time, any new cooperation vision should be conducive to maintaining an open and inclusive existing structure and ensuring the correct direction of regional cooperation.

China does not approve or participate in any cooperation mechanism that undermines ASEAN's central position.

　　The fourth is to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China will continue to fulfill its commitments in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, insist that the countries directly involved resolve disputes peacefully through consultations and negotiations, refrain from unilateral actions that intensify conflicts and widen differences, and at the same time deepen practical cooperation in the maritime field.

The second reading of the "Guidelines" is actively being advanced online, and a preliminary agreement has been reached on the "Foreword", which once again shows that as long as the common political will to advance consultations is maintained, no matter whether it is a raging epidemic or external interference, there is no difficulty that can stop it. US.

China’s sovereign rights and interests in the South China Sea conform to international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China has never made any new claims, but it will certainly stick to its consistent position so far.

With the joint efforts of China and ASEAN, the situation in the South China Sea has maintained overall stability, and the freedom of navigation and overflight is protected in accordance with the law.

But what we must be wary of is that individual countries outside the region have become the biggest disruptors to peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The South China Sea is not and should not be an arena for great powers.

　　The ASEAN foreign ministers once again congratulated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, spoke highly of China’s great achievements in fighting the epidemic and economic and social development, and fully affirmed the positive progress made in ASEAN-China relations, especially the results achieved by the two sides in the joint fight against the epidemic. Provide effective assistance such as vaccines to ASEAN as soon as possible, appreciate China's strong support for the integration and development of ASEAN and regional interconnection, believe that China-ASEAN relations are the most substantial and dynamic partner of ASEAN, and agree to build a higher level The strategic partnership of China shows that China is a rational, wise and reliable force, and is not afraid of any power in order to maintain international fairness and justice.

China's development "rising tides" will bring new and greater opportunities for the development of all ASEAN countries.

　　The foreign ministers said that ASEAN countries are willing to work with China to successfully host this year’s East Asia Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting and the 30th Anniversary Meeting of the China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, continue to follow the road of solidarity and cooperation, solve the two major issues of anti-epidemic and development, and deepen interconnection. Cooperation and capacity building in the fields of intercommunication, disaster prevention and mitigation, sustainable development, and digital transformation.

ASEAN is committed to maintaining a rule-based free trade system and is willing to work with China to advance the process of regional economic integration.

Maintain the momentum of consultations on the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea", increase mutual trust, avoid escalation, and jointly maintain peace, stability and security in the South China Sea, and promote regional development and prosperity.

　　Wang Yi finally said that today's meeting was held very well, full of friendship, mutual trust and harmony. Thank you friends from all over the world for congratulating the centennial of the Communist Party of China again. I would like to reiterate that China's development is the growth of peace forces and the enhancement of regional stability factors. China will always be a good neighbor, good friend, and good partner that ASEAN countries can rely on. China is willing to maintain communication with the ASEAN side to ensure that the East Asia Cooperation Leadership Meeting and the 30th Anniversary Meeting of the China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations during the year will be a complete success, and actively promote the establishment of a China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership. (Finish)