At the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced China's commitment to building an East Asian community through enhanced cooperation within the ASEAN Plus Three framework.
Wang emphasized the importance of unity, openness, and inclusiveness in advancing regional economic integration. He highlighted the significant role ASEAN Plus Three has played over the past two decades, particularly in navigating challenges like the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the recent China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting, which reached a consensus on deepening East Asian cooperation, Wang expressed China's readiness to support ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture. He outlined a four-point proposal aimed at fostering economic integration, strengthening crisis response, expanding cooperation in emerging areas, and promoting social and cultural exchanges.
Key initiatives include enhancing regional supply chain connectivity, implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) effectively, and accelerating negotiations for the China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Area. Additionally, China plans to improve the regional financial safety net and explore innovations to bolster food security.
Wang also stressed the importance of digitalization and green transformation, with plans to host the ASEAN Plus Three Clean Energy Roundtable Dialogue. Social and cultural initiatives will focus on education, health, and tourism to build a strong social foundation for regional cooperation.
The ASEAN foreign ministers lauded the ASEAN Plus Three mechanism for its positive outcomes and expressed optimism about implementing the RCEP to ensure economic stability and resilient supply chains. They welcomed China's proposals and are eager to collaborate on smart agriculture, digital transformation, and crisis response to enhance regional resilience and sustainable development.
Reference(s):
Wang Yi: China to build East Asian community under ASEAN Plus Three
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