Wang Yi meets ASEAN chief on South China Sea
On.cc · 2 SOURCES1 day ago4 MIN
Summary
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn (高金洪) in Beijing on Tuesday, September 15, where he said peace and stability in the South China Sea are in the shared interests of countries in the region. He said China is willing to work with ASEAN states to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and advance consultations on a South China Sea code of conduct, while Kao said the issue should not obstruct China-ASEAN ties.
Key Points
- Wang Yi, a member of the Communist Party Politburo and foreign minister, met ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing on September 15.
- Wang said maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea serves the common interests of regional countries.
- He said China will continue supporting ASEAN unity, community-building, and ASEAN's central role in the regional architecture
- Wang said China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to implement the South China Sea declaration and push forward code of conduct consultations.
- Kao said the South China Sea issue should not become a barrier in ASEAN-China relations, and ASEAN is willing to work with China to preserve peace and stability.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the meeting points to continued diplomatic efforts by Beijing to keep South China Sea disputes from spilling over into wider China-ASEAN relations. It also suggests both sides want practical cooperation to continue while negotiations on regional maritime rules move ahead.