Wang urges East Asia to unite for development and prosperity

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the East Asia Summit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday emphasized the importance for all parties to use this milestone as an opportunity to enhance understanding, trust, maintain peace and stability, and promote development and prosperity.

He made the remarks while addressing the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Noting certain non-regional countries were exploiting the summit platform in recent years to hype up differences, attack other countries, and interfere in internal affairs, Wang urged all parties to focus on enhancing understanding and cooperation.

China supports the issuance of a commemorative declaration this year at the summit marking its 20th anniversary, which will guide the future development of the summit, he said.

Labeling unilateralism and protectionism as short-sighted and dangerous, Wang said China is willing to work together with all parties to implement the East Asia Summit action plan, stimulating regional growth vitality.

The successful experience of East Asian cooperation is the practice of open regionalism, Wang said, adding that China supports the establishment of a high-level regional free trade network and the advance of regional integration.

We oppose the introduction of the Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation in the region, and rejecting closed and exclusive small circles, he said.

Regarding the Taiwan question, Wang emphasized that the root cause of the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait lies in the increasingly rampant separatist actions of "Taiwan independence" and the support provided by external forces.

Highlighting that Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China is the fundamental reality in the Taiwan Strait, he said if genuine concern exists for the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, it is essential to resolutely prevent the growth of "Taiwan independence" forces.

He expressed hope that countries will continue to firmly uphold the one-China principle, oppose any form of "Taiwan independence", and support the cause of China's reunification.

Wang also expounded on China's firm position on the South China Sea issue.