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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Beijing, October 22 (Xinhua) — China and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are close neighbors with similar development visions and closely intertwined interests. Their comprehensive strategic partnership is strengthening and deepening, bringing stability and certainty to the development of Asia and the world, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.
Guo Jiakun made the remarks while commenting on China-ASEAN cooperation at a regular press briefing.
According to the latest statistics, China's total trade volume with ASEAN countries reached 5.57 trillion yuan (approximately USD 785 billion) in the first three quarters of this year, up 9.6 percent year-on-year. During the reporting period, ASEAN remained China's largest trading partner, and various events, including the China-ASEAN Expo, were successfully held. Amid growing external uncertainty, cooperation between China and ASEAN is developing defying the general trend and is continually enriched by new highlights.
Guo Jiakun noted that high-level exchanges between China and ASEAN are becoming increasingly frequent, political mutual trust is steadily deepening, and the momentum of integrated development is steadily strengthening. The two sides are placing increased emphasis on synergizing development strategies and have developed an action plan for implementing the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2026-2030.
According to the official, China and ASEAN are making full use of their complementary advantages and strengthening the integration and resilience of their industrial and supply chains.
According to Guo Jiakun, by the end of the year, the two sides will formally sign the protocol upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area to version 3.0, which will give further impetus to regional economic integration and global trade.
The diplomat noted that the China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway are operating smoothly, contributing to increased connectivity and stimulating economic development in the regions along them.
Collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy is rapidly gaining momentum, opening up new opportunities for development through innovation.
Guo Jiakun also noted that inter-civilizational exchanges between China and ASEAN are accelerating. The China-ASEAN Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges is well underway, with significant achievements in education, youth exchanges, and contacts between think tanks and the media.
China has introduced the ASEAN visa, reached a complete mutual visa waiver with Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, and agreed with Brunei on a mirror visa-free regime for citizens of both countries.
According to Guo Jiakun, China and ASEAN are jointly committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region. China firmly supports ASEAN's centrality in the regional architecture and the resolution of ASEAN's internal problems "through ASEAN methods."
China is committed to properly resolving disputes over the South China Sea (SCS) with the countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation, Guo Jiakun stressed, adding that China will work with ASEAN to comprehensively and effectively implement the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the SCS, accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct in the SCS, deepen practical maritime cooperation, and jointly build the SCS into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
“The more volatile the international situation becomes, the more important it is to firmly hold the helm of cooperation and jointly pave the way for mutual benefit,” the official representative stated.
Guo Jiakun assured that China will adhere to the concept of a friendly, secure and prosperous neighborhood, goodwill, sincerity, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and common destiny, and pursue a corresponding policy.
China intends to work with regional countries to build a peaceful, secure, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly common home and promote the building of an even closer community of shared destiny between China and ASEAN, the Chinese diplomat concluded.
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