Wang Yi Meets with ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi in Manila on the 21st. Wang Yi stated that China always adheres to the principle of equality between countries regardless of their size, and always pursues a policy of good-neighborliness with its neighbors. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. China was the first major country to join the treaty, which prompted other major countries to follow suit and greatly enhanced ASEAN's international status. China will continue to support the building of the ASEAN Community and the strengthening of ASEAN's self-reliance. China is the most important stabilizing anchor in the region and is willing to enhance cooperation with ASEAN, deepen mutual trust, understanding, and support, and safeguard the common interests of China and ASEAN, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of the global South, in order to promote the development of the international order towards a fairer and more reasonable direction. Wang Yi stated that the South China Sea is a common home for regional countries, and the South China Sea issue should not become an obstacle in China-ASEAN relations. Some forces in the Philippines intentionally provoke and create maritime incidents, serving the interests of external forces and undermining the improvement of China-Philippines relations and the peaceful stability of the South China Sea. Regional countries should be highly vigilant. China is willing to work with ASEAN to eliminate disturbing factors, speed up the negotiation of the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea," and jointly create a new narrative of a peaceful, stable, cooperative, and friendly South China Sea, firmly holding the initiative of the South China Sea issue in their own hands.