On the afternoon of May 10, 2024 local time, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong attended the 30th China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, and afterwards gave an interview to reporters on site.

Q: How did this China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation go? What outcomes were achieved?

A: The Senior Officials' Consultation is an important strategic communication and cooperation mechanism between China and ASEAN. Just now, my ASEAN colleagues and I, in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, had an in-depth exchange of views on deepening all-round cooperation under the new circumstances and on international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus.

We agreed that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and ASEAN leaders, China-ASEAN cooperation has maintained strong momentum of development in recent years. We agreed to accelerate the building of the "five homes" and continuously elevate the level of the comprehensive strategic partnership. First, we will jointly build a peaceful and tranquil home to make the region more secure. We will enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen dialogue and exchanges, and jointly uphold an ASEAN-centered, open and inclusive regional architecture. This year, the two sides will focus on strengthening cooperation in traditional and non-traditional security areas such as demining and combating telecom fraud and illegal online gambling, so as to foster a more stable and secure regional environment. Second, we will jointly build a prosperous and beautiful home to make cooperation more dynamic. We will strive to complete the negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 within this year, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership with high quality, build stable and smooth regional industrial and supply chains, and make East Asia a demonstration of inclusive economic globalization that benefits all. We will seize opportunities in emerging industries, expand cooperation in new areas such as digital transformation, clean energy and artificial intelligence, and share development opportunities. Third, we will jointly build a friendly home to bring the two billion people of China and ASEAN closer. Taking this year's "China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges" as an opportunity, we will deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, education, youth and other fields, promote people-to-people bonds, and make the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Q: The United States recently deployed a mid-range missile system in the Philippines. This practice seriously endangers regional security. Did China express its concern during this Senior Officials' Consultation?

A: The U.S. move is a serious reversal of history, a serious threat to the security of regional countries, and a serious disruption of regional peace and stability. It runs completely counter to the common aspiration of the people of regional countries for peace and development.

China firmly opposes any replay of Cold War-style bloc confrontation in the region and firmly opposes treating regional countries as tools and proxies of hegemony. During this Senior Officials' Consultation, I clearly expressed China's solemn concern. China supports ASEAN in strengthening strategic autonomy and is ready to work with regional countries to adhere to the Asian security path of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and firmly safeguard regional peace and stability.