Ahead Of The ASEAN Summit, China Affirms Strengthening Southeast Asian Partnerships

JAKARTA - The Chinese government has emphasized the importance of partnerships and strengthening cooperation commitments with Southeast Asian countries ahead of the ASEAN 47th Summit.

"China and ASEAN countries are close neighbors to similar vision and interconnected interests. China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnerships continue to strengthen, providing stability and certainty for the development of Asia and the wider world," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun at a press conference in Beijing, Wednesday, October 22.

The ASEAN 47th Summit with the theme "Inclusiveness and Sustainability" is planned to take place on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"Both China and ASEAN have established close communication between leaders, strengthened mutual political trust, and strengthened the momentum of integrated development," added Guo Jiakun.

China and ASEAN, said Guo Jiakun, have also formulated an Action Plan for the Implementation of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030), taking advantage of their respective comparative advantages to increase industrial and supply chain integration and will officially sign an upgrade protocol for China-ASEAN 3.0 Free Trade Areas.

"The protocol will provide a greater impetus for regional economic integration and global trade. The smooth operation of the China-Laos train and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train has increased connectivity and boosted economic growth along these lines," said Guo Jiakun.

Cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and the digital economy, added Guo Jiakun, also opens new prospects for innovation-driven development.

"Various events have been held in the Chinese-ASEAN Inter-Masyarakat Exchange Year, and cooperation in the fields of education, youth, study institutions, and media has yielded useful results," said Guo Jiakun.

In addition, China has launched "visa ASEAN" to citizens from ASEAN countries as well as full visa-free policies to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Brunei so that cross-border travel is easier and brings the people of both parties closer.

"China and ASEAN have worked together for regional peace and stability. China firmly supports ASEAN's centrality in regional architecture and resolves ASEAN's internal affairs through 'ASEAN Way'," said Guo Jiakun.

He also said China is committed to handling differences in the South China Sea appropriately through dialogue and consultation with directly related countries, as well as collaborating with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement Declarations on Party Behavior (Declaration of Conduct or DOC), accelerate consultations on Code of Conduct (Code of Conduct or CC in the South China Sea) and deepen practical maritime cooperation at South China's Lau.

"In a rapidly changing world, it is increasingly important to engage in cooperation and focus on mutually beneficial results. China will remain committed to fostering a friendly, safe, mutually beneficial, and inclusive environment and having a shared vision of the future in the region," said Guo Jiakun.

However, Guo Jiakun did not mention who the Chinese leader will attend the ASEAN 47th Summit later.

"China attaches great importance to its relationship with ASEAN and East Asia cooperation, and supports Malaysia's rotating leadership in ASEAN. Regarding who will attend, we will deliver information in due course," said Guo Jiakun.

It is planned that there will be 5 meetings that include meetings of ASEAN leaders, ASEAN ministers, and senior ASEAN officials to discuss a number of key topics, including inclusive economics and trade, climate sustainability and clean energy, to the regional digital economy.

This includes a deal that has been taken at the ministerial level, especially on an integrated ASEAN power grid, which opens up the possibility of utilizing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

In addition to these, the ASEAN 47th Summit which also invites leaders of ASEAN dialogue partner countries such as the US, China, Japan and India to discuss the potential for cooperation between ASEAN and countries outside the region, as well as discuss and state ASEAN's stance on the Gaza peace treaty.

The ASEAN 47th Summit will also make a new history, where ASEAN members will inaugurate Timor-Leste as ASEAN permanent members.

United States President Donald Trump is confirmed to attend the ASEAN Summit on October 26, 2025.

In addition to following ASEAN's agenda, Trump will also witness the signing of a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.