Beijing, April 8 (Xinhua) — Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on the 8th that China ASEAN relations vividly demonstrate China’s consistent adherence to the concept of friendly, sincere, mutually beneficial, and inclusive diplomacy with neighboring countries and its policy of neighborly friendship. China will adhere to being friendly with its neighbors, treating each other with sincerity, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and continue to root in and contribute to its neighbors.
At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: Recently, a think tank issued a statement stating that China and ASEAN are becoming the new centers of influence in East Asia. The China ASEAN relationship is based on complementary needs, frequent trade links, and common values. The close relationship between the two sides is not only of great significance to Asia, but also to the international community. Comments suggest that cooperation with ASEAN has become a good example for China to develop relations with neighboring countries. How does the spokesperson view the current status of cooperation between China and ASEAN, and how does he evaluate China’s interaction with neighboring countries?
Lin Jian stated that over the past 30 years since the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN, the path of cooperation between the two sides has been firm, steady, and vigorous, becoming one of the most dynamic and fruitful examples of cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and even globally. Both sides have been each other’s largest trading partners for five consecutive years, with a trade volume of 6.99 trillion yuan between China and ASEAN in 2024. The China ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol is expected to be signed within this year. China Laos Railway, Hanoi Light Rail Line 2 in Vietnam and other landmark projects have brought tangible benefits to local people. Digital empowerment and green development have become emerging areas for China to assist ASEAN countries in their transformation and development.
Lin Jian stated that China ASEAN relations vividly demonstrate China’s consistent adherence to the concept of friendly, sincere, mutually beneficial, and inclusive diplomacy with neighboring countries, as well as its policy of neighborly friendship. China’s political mutual trust and interest integration with neighboring countries continue to deepen. China has reached a consensus on building a community of common destiny with 17 neighboring countries, and signed a cooperation agreement with 25 neighboring countries to jointly build the “the Belt and Road”, becoming the largest trading partner of 18 countries. The major landmark project of high-quality co construction of the “the Belt and Road” has been solidly promoted, and the “small and beautiful” livelihood project cooperation has made a new face, benefiting more people in neighboring countries. Regional cooperation mechanisms, including East Asia Cooperation, Lancang Mekong Cooperation, China Central Asia Cooperation, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, have effectively promoted the process of regional economic integration.
Lin Jian said, ‘Harmony at home brings prosperity to all things.’. In the Asian community, China will adhere to the principles of friendship, sincerity, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness with its neighbors. As always, we will root ourselves in and contribute to our neighbors, so that the concept of affinity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness can benefit more Asian people, and the Asian community with a shared future can inject more stability and hope into the world.