Wang Yi calls for U.S. engagement as ASEAN plus FM meetings wrap up
發佈日期: 2025-07-12 20:04
TVB News
As Foreign Minister Wang Yi concludes his trip to Kuala Lumpur, he said the ASEAN Plus foreign ministers' meetings in the Malaysian capital have achieved substantial results.
He also stressed the need for China and the U.S. to enhance engagement and avoid misjudgements.
The annual ASEAN Plus foreign ministers' meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia have come to a close.
Meeting the press, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the meetings achieved three outcomes.
They include the confirmed completion of negotiations for the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.
China and ASEAN countries have agreed to submit a pact upgrading the free trade zones to their leaders for approval in October.
And China and ASEAN also agreed on a five-year action plan that specifies collaboration between the two sides in over 40 fields in the coming years.
Wang said the two sides agreed to strive to complete consultations next year on a code of conduct in the South China Sea -- a set of guidelines aiming to manage disputes in the region, where Beijing and several ASEAN members have overlapping maritime claims.
On the South China Sea arbitration case, Wang said the incident was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines, and the ruling had flaws in "factual and legal application".
Wang questioned whether the world's maritime boundaries should be redrawn if the islands and reefs were denied maritime rights, saying that's political manipulation and lacked the legal basis in arbitration.
On the sidelines of the meetings, Wang also held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He said the dialogue has helped enhance engagement, prevent miscalculations and manage differences.
He said China and the U.S., as two major powers, share extensive common interests and vast space for cooperation.
The meeting took place amid U.S. announcements of tariffs imposed on multiple countries, including Southeast Asian nations.
Wang Yi said he is confident about China's cooperation with ASEAN.
He said China's experience proves that openness leads to progress, while isolation causes backwardness.
