On July 21, 2011, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended the ASEAN-China (10+1) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bali, Indonesia. Participants in the meeting spoke highly of the progress ASEAN and China had made since the bilateral dialogue relationship was initiated 20 years ago. They adopted the guideline to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The guideline was agreed upon during the Senior Officials' Meeting. They also exchanged opinions on the future bilateral cooperation.
Yang said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-China dialogue relationship. We have gone through extraordinary 20 years during which we established the strategic partnership, built the biggest free trade area of developing countries, achieved mutual benefit through comprehensive, wide-ranging and multi-level cooperation, scored fruitful cooperation results and made important contributions to advancing peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia, he noted. The bilateral relationship has become the role model of friendly cooperation between developing countries. China expects to work with ASEAN to ensure the success of ASEAN-China leaders' commemorative summit to be held in November and lift the bilateral strategic partnership to a new level.
He pointed out that China is committed to seeking common development and conducting pragmatic cooperation with ASEAN. The two sides together created the "East Asia miracle" of economic growth and have become the new engine of world economic development. China always stands side by side with ASEAN in times of difficulties and challenges. It will continue to treat the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective and be a good neighbor, good friend and good partner of ASEAN forever. It hopes cooperate with ASEAN more closely in the following areas. First, pursue good-neighborliness and mutual trust. The two sides should keep high-level exchanges and communications, push forward the strategic partnership, solve problems and differences properly through friendly consultations and maintain the healthy development of ASEAN-China friendly cooperative relations and regional peace and stability; second, pursue mutual benefit. Both sides should implement the second five-year action plan of ASEAN-China strategic partnership, try to reach the specific target of US$500 billion of bilateral trade, boost the cooperation between enterprises, industries and sectors, step up trade facilitation, consolidate the development of the FTA and explore cooperation in the fields of new and high-tech, new energy, recycling economy, law enforcement training and health; third, push forward the interconnectivity. China supports the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity and the Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation, remains open to discuss with ASEAN how to promote marine interconnectivity and advance cooperation on trade, economy, tourism, education, culture and media and of youth through building the ASEAN-China Center; fourth, support each other on regional and international issues. China wants to coordinate and collaborate with ASEAN more closely in such major international organizations as the United Nations and the G20 to jointly cope with serious regional and global challenges such as climate change, cross-border crimes and food security. It expects to join hands with ASEAN to accelerate East Asia cooperation during which China backs ASEAN to play a leading role.
With the concerted efforts of ASEAN and China, the Senior Officials' Meeting on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea reached consensus on the text of the guideline of follow-up work to implement the Declaration, which paves the way to advance the implementation process and accelerate the pragmatic cooperation in the South China Sea, has great significance in the relations between ASEAN and China, helps increase the mutual understanding and mutual trust between the two sides and promote peace and stability in the South China Sea. It demonstrates the firm belief and political determination of all parties concerned to deepen the strategic partnership. China will work with ASEAN to strengthen the pragmatic cooperation and build the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.
Foreign ministers of ASEAN member states all believe that the mutually beneficial cooperation between ASEAN and China in the fields of politics, trade and economy, culture and society has achieved fruitful results since the two sides established the dialogue relationship 20 years ago and received wide support from people of all countries. They agree to inject vigor into the bilateral cooperation through holding the ASEAN-China commemorative summit and other celebrations. They appreciate China's firm support for ASEAN's integration and the economic and social development of ASEAN member states, admire China's positive role in major regional and international affairs and raise a number of proposals and ideas on strengthening the interconnectivity between ASEAN and China.
They spoke highly of the consensus reached at the Senior Officials' Meeting on the guideline to implement the Declaration. They believe the consensus shows the two sides have both the ability and the will to solve and control the most difficult problems and has landmark significance. As the most important outcome of commemorating the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relationship, it helps increase the mutual trust, make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation and advance peace, stability and prosperity in the region.