Kuala Lumpur, July 10 (AseanAll) — On July 10, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the ASEAN Plus China, Japan, ROK (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Wang Yi noted that since the establishment of the APT cooperation mechanism, all parties have continuously strengthened their crisis response capabilities, advanced the process of regional economic integration, and fostered new drivers for development through joint efforts. Cooperation in various areas has yielded fruitful results, helping East Asia become the most dynamic region in the world.
Wang Yi said that the overall situation of East Asian cooperation remains positive. The focus on development and commitment to cooperation is the general trend and mainstream, though challenges persist, including the impact of unilateralism and protectionism, and the abuse of tariffs by a certain major country. The more complex the situation, the more the APT cooperation should stay undisturbed, work in solidarity, and keep strengthening the momentum for cooperation, enhancing development resilience, and continuously advancing the process of regional integration to make the shared home a better place. China puts forward four proposals for the next stage of cooperation.
First, build an East Asia of integrated development. ASEAN and China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK), leveraging complementary advantages in resources and industries, have established a mutually beneficial and efficient regional economic and trade network. Trade wars drive up production costs and disrupt stable and smooth industrial and supply chains, and no country can remain unaffected. It is imperative to firmly oppose the building of "walls and barriers" and safeguard the "lifeline" of common development. China is ready to work with all parties to implement the leaders' statement and continue to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation on industrial and supply chains. China and ASEAN have fully completed negotiations on the Version 3.0 Free Trade Area. China is ready to explore more cooperation opportunities by aligning with the priority areas of practical cooperation in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025. China looks forward to accelerating the restart of negotiations on the China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement and advancing the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Second, build a strong and resilient East Asia. It is important to chart the course for regional financial cooperation in the future, enhance the effectiveness of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization, further leverage the role of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, develop regional local currency bond markets, and improve the regional financial safety net. China is ready to work with all parties to build on the efforts to strengthen the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve and jointly explore mechanism innovation to bring regional food security cooperation to a higher level.
Third, build an innovative and dynamic East Asia. It is important to seize the opportunities presented by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and drive transformation and development with innovation. This year, China has already implemented the ASEAN Plus Three green technology cooperation and dialogue network project, and plans to host the ASEAN Plus Three forum on artificial intelligence industry development, a workshop on the digital economy, and a roundtable dialogue on clean energy. China is ready to deepen cooperation with ASEAN countries in artificial intelligence, the digital sector, green development and other fields.
Fourth, build an East Asia with cultural affinity. Efforts should be made to carry out the "Campus Asia" program, and promote student exchanges and talent cultivation among APT countries. This year, China will host an ASEAN Plus Three high-level seminar on immigration management policies, conduct ASEAN Plus Three capacity training in response to population aging, and host the ASEAN Plus Three Young Scientists Forum, media cooperation seminars and other events, so as to contribute to consolidating the foundation of public support for East Asian cooperation.
Wang Yi stressed that China's economy has maintained steady progress while moving towards higher quality through optimized structure and fresh momentum driven by innovation, demonstrating strong resilience and development potential. No matter how the external environment changes, the fundamentals sustaining China's sound economic growth in the long run remain unchanged, the advantages of its mega-sized market and complete industrial system remain unchanged, and its policy focusing on high-quality development and high-standard opening up remains unchanged. China is ready to inject new impetus and provide new opportunities for the common development of the region through its own stable development, and to jointly create an even brighter future for East Asia.
Foreign ministers of ASEAN countries extended congratulations on the successful convening of the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting and appreciated China, Japan and the ROK for supporting ASEAN centrality. They noted that the APT mechanism came into being in response to the Asian financial crisis and the cooperation has achieved remarkable results. Amid rising unilateralism, increasing tariffs and trade barriers, and heightening geopolitical tensions, APT cooperation is more precious than ever. All parties should continue to play a strategic guiding role, and advance inclusive development and sustainable peace in the region. All parties agreed to advance the implementation of the RCEP, improve the regional financial safety net, enhance food security cooperation, and put forward suggestions on strengthening innovation cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, enhancing security cooperation such as combating transnational crimes, and promoting social and cultural exchanges.
