On October 26, 2022, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with diplomatic envoys of ASEAN countries to China in Beijing.

Wang Yi briefed the diplomatic envoys on the epoch-making significance, important outcomes, and profound influence of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). He noted that the most important achievement of the Congress is that it has elected a new central leadership with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and it has carried forward and practiced democracy throughout its process, and built consensus of the whole Party and of the people across the country. Wang stressed that the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, developed on the basis of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional Chinese culture, has opened a new frontier in adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the needs of the times. History of the world has repeatedly shown that a strong leadership core and an advanced theory that is scientific and effective are the key to a country’s development and growth. With General Secretary Xi Jinping staying at the helm to lead the way, and with the correct guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China will surely be able to realize the development strategies and goals set at the 20th National Congress.

Wang Yi expounded on the five features and the essential requirements of Chinese modernization, stressing that Chinese modernization befits China's national conditions, meets the Chinese people's expectations, and conforms to the trends of development and progress of the times. He noted that development remains the Party's top priority in governing and rejuvenating China; China develops itself with its own strength, and China's development strengthens the forces for peace, enhances the strength of developing countries, and will bring important opportunities and tangible benefits to countries around the world and make greater contributions to the development and progress of humanity. Wang also noted that China has maintained consistency and stability of its foreign policy, and stays committed to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, particularly to advancing the building of a human community with a shared future. China will respond to uncertainties of the external environment with its own certainties, counteract instability of the international situation with the stability of its domestic and foreign policies; it will strive to provide sustainable impetus for global recovery through its high-quality development and high-standard opening up, and work relentlessly for world peace and development in a responsible way. Wang underscored that China will continue to take relations with neighboring countries as a top priority of its overall diplomacy, with ASEAN high on the agenda. China stands ready to work with ASEAN countries to achieve common development and prosperity and to stride towards modernization together.

Noting the three important multilateral meetings ASEAN countries will host this year, namely, the G20 Summit, the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and the Leaders' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation, Wang Yi said that global governance will embrace an "Asian moment". He expressed the hope that ASEAN will uphold independence, adhere to the ASEAN way and ASEAN centrality, and stay focused on the Asia-Pacific, on economic development, and on cooperation, and respond to global challenges with a sense of community, so as to make Asian contributions to regional and global governance, and demonstrate the Asian strength.

The diplomatic envoys of ASEAN countries warmly congratulated on the complete success of the 20th National Congress of the CPC. They said that the Congress is a milestone event that demonstrates the extraordinary leadership of the CPC and the will and resolve of the Chinese people to strive forward in unity. They stressed that ASEAN countries applaud the people-centered philosophy of the CPC, highly appreciate China's commitment to a development path of opening up, and think highly of China's contributions to peace, stability, prosperity and development of the region and the larger world, and will actively participate in the implementation of the Global Development Initiative in the region. The diplomatic envoys also noted that the establishment of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership last year marks an upgrade of the all-round cooperation between the two sides. They thanked China for providing strong support to ASEAN in their joint effort to fight the pandemic and recover the economy, and expressed the hope to take the new development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization to further deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with China, and to advance win-win cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of shared interest and concern.