On January 25, 2011, ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting kicked off in Kunming. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended and addressed the meeting. Around the theme of China-ASEAN strategic cooperation, the two sides exchanged views in a cordial and relaxed atmosphere and reached broad consensuses on the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relationship, the development of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and East Asia cooperation.
Addressing the meeting, Yang expressed warm welcome to the foreign ministers and senior officials of ASEAN member countries who just inspected the Kunming-Bangkok Highway and came to attend the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relationship. The bilateral ties stand at a historic moment between past and future and are developing to a higher level. To organize the inspection of Kunming-Bangkok Highway and hold the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting for the first time in China will significantly promote China-ASEAN strategic cooperation, including their interconnectivity and boost the development of bilateral ties.
He noted that the two sides developed the bilateral relations comprehensively and deepened the pragmatic cooperation continuously during the 20 years of the development of dialogue relationship. Over the past 20 years, the two sides also contributed actively to peace and stability in the region, which benefited all people. As the dialogue partner of ASEAN, China is the first country joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, establishing strategic partnership with ASEAN and expressing clear support for the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty and always maintains that ASEAN should play a principal role in regional affairs. The two sides have cooperated in more than 20 fields including trade, agriculture and information and established 11 ministerial meeting mechanisms. Last year, China-ASEAN Free Trade Area was built. The bilateral trade volume increased by 38% over previous year and the two sides became important trade partners. When coping with the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the recent international financial crisis, the Indian Ocean tsunami and other major natural disasters and challenges, the two sides have always supported and helped each other to overcome difficulties. Their colorful exchange activities in the social and cultural fields have consolidated the foundation of the good-neighborly friendship. In regional and international affairs, the two sides share similar positions and have coordinated and cooperated with each other to jointly maintain regional peace and stability. The Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea issued by the two sides makes major contributions to enhancing mutual trust and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
He indicated that to further develop China-ASEAN strategic partnership is the desire of the people and serves the fundamental interests of both sides. In the new historical period, China will unswervingly pursue the road of peaceful development, adhere to the win-win strategy of opening up and stick to the foreign policy with neighboring countries of being a good neighbor and a good partner. China expects to make concerted efforts with ASEAN to comprehensively implement the second five-year action plan of the strategic partnership and well maintain, develop and build the bilateral relations.
In their speeches, participants of ASEAN member countries reviewed with satisfaction the dynamic development and huge achievements of ASEAN-China relations over the past 20 years. They spoke highly of the major contributions made by the bilateral relations to the development of each country and to peace and stability in the region. They highly appreciate China's consistent strong support for the development of ASEAN Community and ASEAN’s role in regional cooperation. They said that the successful experience of China-ASEAN relations over the past 20 years set an example for the whole world. Under new circumstances, ASEAN is willing to work with China to further push forward the bilateral strategic cooperation, accelerate interconnectivity, boost cultural exchanges, step up strategic coordination and collaboration in the regional and international affairs, maintain common interests and make due contributions to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region. The two sides also raised many useful proposals on implementing the second five-year action plan of China-ASEAN strategic partnership and boosting the exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
Prior to the meeting, Yang attended the launch ceremony of China-ASEAN Friendship Exchange Year together with the foreign ministers and senior officials of ASEAN members.
On January 24, foreign ministers and senior officials of ASEAN members entered China from Mohan Port in Yunnan after concluding the inspection of Kunming-Bangkok Highway in Thailand and Laos. Accompanied by Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue, they inspected the section of the Highway in China. Officials of Yunnan province and Xishuangbanna were present at the events.