JAKARTA, 22 February 2023 – Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Qin Gang reaffirmed China’s strong commitment to advance its comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN.

Minister Qin Gang met with Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn during his visit to the ASEAN Secretariat today. He underscored that China places high priority to its relations with ASEAN as part of the country’s neighbourhood diplomacy and commended the success of ASEAN in promoting peace, stability, integration, and development in the region.

Minister Qin Gang affirmed China’s support to ASEAN Centrality and for ASEAN to play an even bigger role in the evolving regional political architecture. 

Dr Kao appreciated China’s cooperation and support for ASEAN Community-building and ASEAN Centrality, including through China’s active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms. He underlined the need for both sides to redouble efforts to make the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership substantive, meaningful, and mutually beneficial. Dr Kao also looked forward to China’s support for the priorities of ASEAN this year.

Both sides agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation under the ASEAN-China Year of Agricultural Development and Food Security and the need to enhance collaboration to facilitate regional recovery such as in the areas of trade and investment, sustainable development, and connectivity. Dr Kao further encouraged closer people-to-people ties through enhanced collaboration in tourism and education.

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