Take stock of the three positive signals of the series of foreign ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation

Jakarta, 7 Jul (Zhongxin Net) -- A series of foreign ministers' meetings on East Asian cooperation were recently held in Jakarta, Indonesia, attended by Wang Yi, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee. After the meeting, unnamed Chinese officials made an inventory and believed that this year's series of foreign ministers' meetings released more positive signals than in previous years.

First, the atmosphere is more peaceful. The atmosphere of the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting was friendly and harmonious, and the theme was more focused on practical cooperation. The 10 ASEAN countries generally attach importance to building growth centers and adhering to the priority of development, which is highly consistent with China's philosophy. Countries highly appreciated the series of important global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping and looked forward to seizing opportunities and actively participating in them. Many foreign ministers stressed that ASEAN's prosperity is closely linked to China's development, and they are willing to jointly build the "Belt and Road" with high quality. From beginning to end, no one raised any more controversial issues, and it was filled with the harmonious atmosphere of the China-ASEAN family.

At the 10+3 meeting, all parties also focused on this regional cooperation, actively contributed ideas to this end, and injected impetus into the resumption of China-Japan-ROK cooperation.

At the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which were prone to contradictions in the past, all parties generally supported ASEAN's centrality and upheld an open and inclusive regional order. The ASEAN side stressed that the region must not become another game arena, and that it is necessary to unite rather than divide, and called for more listening and communication without prejudice and malice. The provocative remarks of some countries seemed out of place and were rejected by China on the spot. Generally speaking, all parties have talked more about dialogue, coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation, and fewer cases of needle-and-needle wheat and mutual criticism by name.

Second, the results have become more prominent. There are two highlights of the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

First, the Joint Statement on Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of China's Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia > < Southeast Asia (TAC) was adopted. Twenty years ago, China took the lead in deciding to join TAC when countries were hesitant, which not only shows that China has always advocated equality for all countries, big or small, but also reflects the importance and friendship it attaches to ASEAN. Most importantly, after China's accession, other major countries have adjusted their policies and joined one after another, and 20 countries have joined the TAC so far. ASEAN's status has been significantly enhanced, and China's exemplary role has been praised.

Second, it announced the successful completion of the second reading of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and adopted the guideline document for accelerating the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, creating conditions for the start of the third reading as soon as possible and taking an important step towards the final conclusion. Considering the impact of the epidemic in recent years, as well as various interference from foreign forces, this achievement has not come easily. The final conclusion of the Code of Guidelines will enable China and ASEAN countries to have their own regional rules, which will not only greatly enhance mutual trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, but also send a clear signal to the outside world, that is, China and ASEAN countries do not need any teachers, and we have the ability and wisdom to handle the South China Sea issue well through joint efforts, so that the South China Sea will become a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Third, the interaction is more pragmatic. The Chinese delegation held more than 10 bilateral meetings. The Sino-US meeting received great attention, and both sides believed that the meeting was frank, pragmatic and constructive. ASEAN countries have been looking forward to more interaction between China and the United States, and they are relieved that this is reassuring. ASEAN and other Asian developing countries are also concerned about the domestic and foreign policies after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and expect China-style modernization to bring more dividends to the region. The meetings between China and Japan, China and South Korea, China and India and China and Europe all sent positive signals, and the overall atmosphere was good. All countries expressed their willingness to strengthen dialogue and deepen cooperation with China, which also made those who were not optimistic about the East Asia series of meetings breathe a sigh of relief. (End)