Recently, H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, met with diplomatic envoys from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste in Beijing. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre was invited to attend. 

Wang Yi underlined that, over the past 10 years, the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership has become increasingly close, and both sides have made major achievements in the Belt and Road cooperation. China has reached consensus with the majority of ASEAN countries respectively on building a community of shared future. As the biggest neighbor of ASEAN, China will continue to practice the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in bilateral relations with its neighbors, and continue to be ASEAN’s trustworthy and reliable long-term comprehensive strategic partner, so as to make greater contribution to the building of an even closer community of shared future between China and ASEAN. 

Diplomatic envoys appreciated China’s valuable support to the development of ASEAN countries and expressed their willingness to work with China to further advance quality Belt and Road cooperation, enhance people-to-people amity, mutual understanding and mutual trust under the framework of 2024 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges, so as to build a brighter and more sustainable future for ASEAN-China relations, and contribute to regional peace and development.

Shi Zhongjun said that the ACC will bring into full play its role of linking bridge and effective platform in advancing ASEAN-China friendly relations and practical cooperation. Focusing on implementing the consensus between ASEAN and Chinese leaders, the ACC will make overall planning, deepen economic cooperation and trade, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and add lasting strength to securing a steady and sustained growth of ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership.