Relations with Asean are China’s priority, says foreign minister as US also courts Southeast Asia

While marking the 30th anniversary of formal ties with the bloc, Wang Yi promotes ‘multilateralism with Asian characteristics’

US defence chief meanwhile says his visit to the region will ‘deepen America’s bonds with the allies and partners on whom our common security depends’

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Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for more cooperation with Asean on the belt and road scheme and the pandemic, and again pushed for progress on a South China Sea code of conduct. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 5:30pm, 29 Jul 2021Updated: 10:14pm, 29 Jul 2021

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said ties with Southeast Asia were a priority for China and called for “multilateralism with Asian characteristics”, as the country seeks to counter US moves in the region.

Wang said Beijing’s relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was the “most successful and active” in the region, during a virtual symposium on Wednesday marking 30 years of dialogue between China and Asean.

“China has always made Asean its priority for diplomacy in the region … and firmly supports Asean’s central role in regional cooperation,” Wang said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry readout on Thursday. “Both sides should conduct frequent communication on all levels, and continue with mutual understanding and support for each other’s core interests.”

Wang also urged the two sides to adopt what he called “multilateralism with Asian characteristics” as well as an open and inclusive regional cooperation mechanism that he said would contribute to building a more “just, peaceful and safe world”.

The meeting was held in parallel with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Southeast Asia visit, which included stops in the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. Austin said the tour was to “deepen America’s bonds with the allies and partners on whom our common security depends”.

China has repeatedly urged the United States and its allies to adopt multilateralism rather than what it describes as “small groupings” disguised as multilateralism, while the US under President Joe Biden has sought to boost alliances to counter Beijing, including with the Group of Seven and the Quad.