China and ASEAN countries are close neighbors sharing similar development philosophies and deeply interconnected interests. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides continues to deepen, bringing stability and certainty to the development of Asia and the world.
Guo made the remarks in response to a question about China-ASEAN cooperation at a regular press briefing.
According to the latest data, in the first three quarters of this year, China’s total imports and exports with ASEAN reached 5.57 trillion yuan (about 785 billion U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year increase of 9.6 percent. During this period, ASEAN remained China’s largest trading partner, and events such as the China-ASEAN Expo were successfully held. Despite growing external uncertainties, China-ASEAN cooperation has maintained strong momentum and achieved remarkable results.
Guo noted that high-level exchanges between China and ASEAN have become increasingly frequent, which has deepened mutual political trust and strengthened the momentum of integrated development. Both sides attach great importance to aligning their development strategies and have formulated the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026–2030).
By fully leveraging their complementary advantages, China and ASEAN are strengthening the integration and resilience of their industrial and supply chains, Guo said.
He added that within this year, the two sides will officially sign the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, which will further boost regional economic integration and global trade.
Guo highlighted that the China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway are operating smoothly, improving connectivity and stimulating economic growth along their routes.
Cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy is also thriving, opening up new opportunities for innovation-driven development.
Guo pointed out that cultural exchanges between China and ASEAN are accelerating. The China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges has produced fruitful results in education, youth, think tank, and media cooperation.
China has introduced the “ASEAN visa” and has implemented mutual visa-exemption arrangements with Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, as well as reciprocal visa-free entry with Brunei, he said.
According to Guo, China and ASEAN are jointly committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability. China firmly supports ASEAN’s centrality in the region and backs resolving ASEAN’s internal issues in accordance with the “ASEAN Way.”
Guo emphasized that China is committed to properly managing differences with directly concerned countries regarding the South China Sea through dialogue and consultation. China will work with ASEAN to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct, deepen practical maritime cooperation, and jointly build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
“The more volatile the international landscape becomes, the more we need to steady the helm of cooperation and build a path of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes,” Guo said.
The spokesperson reaffirmed that China remains committed to building an amicable, secure, and prosperous neighborhood, upholding the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, and advancing the vision of a community with a shared future.
China will work with regional countries to build a peaceful, secure, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly common home and promote the development of an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, Guo concluded.