China Highlights Four Key Advances in ASEAN Partnership

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi outlined four key areas of progress that have further strengthened China-ASEAN relations during the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday (22/7). Wang said the building of a community with a shared future with neighbouring countries continues to gain momentum, as China reached important understandings with eight ASEAN member states to bilaterally establish a community with a shared future. Economic and trade ties have maintained their growth momentum after the protocol to upgrade the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0 was officially signed, Wang noted, highlighting that China and ASEAN have been each other’s largest trading partners for six consecutive years, with bilateral trade value exceeding USD 1 trillion in 2025. Wang said both sides have also shown solidarity amid crises, evidenced by the rapid emergency assistance provided by China after devastating earthquakes struck Myanmar and Mindanao in the Philippines. People-to-people exchanges are flourishing, with nearly 200 widely acclaimed key events held throughout the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2024-2025, and the launch of a special visa scheme for ASEAN countries will facilitate cross-border travel, Wang added.