On 2 August 2013, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, addressed the High-Level Forum on the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership in Bangkok.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong noted that ASEAN’s relations with China have been robust, action-oriented and diversified, based on friendship, mutual trust and confidence. He expressed appreciation for China’s continued constructive role in supporting ASEAN community-building efforts and argued that the closer economic cooperation between ASEAN and China would contribute to regional peace and stability, and the growth of the Asian region.

While recognizing emerging uncertainties and non-traditional security challenges in the region, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong urged that differences be managed through dialogue and cooperation. On the South China Sea, he urged not letting one issue be a barometer of ASEAN-China relations and encouraged both sides to work together to transform the area from a sea of uncertainty and mistrust into a sea of shared interests and cooperation. He was also pleased that ASEAN and China have agreed to start official consultations on a Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea at the senior officials’ level this September. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong emphasized the importance of a more integrated ASEAN Community and greater inter-regional connectivity. He urged ASEAN and China to better mobilize resources, encourage private sector participation, develop a strategy to enhance institutional and people-to-people linkages in order to achieve optimal outcomes. He also encouraged development of a strategic partnership for the 21st century that would be more comprehensive, relevant, and responsive to the needs of the region.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi remarked on the past achievements and progress of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership. He recalled that ASEAN and China have stood together and supported each other through difficult times. The recent traffic accident in Thailand that killed two Chinese volunteers indicates ties of China to ASEAN and Thailand especially at the people's level. He further noted the growing economic ties between ASEAN and China, with trade volume reaching 400 billion US dollars last year and the number of mutual visitors 15 million.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged ASEAN and China to deepen cooperation in all fields to achieve ‘win-win development’, including upgrading the ASEAN-China FTA, advancing regional economic integration, exploring the possibility of an Asian investment and financial platform, and enriching the existing regional cooperation structure such as ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3 and EAS. He suggested proper settlement of differences, such as disputes over territorial sovereignty, through peaceful means based on dialogue conducted on an equal footing and friendly consultation. He reiterated China’s commitment to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC), and noted that the process towards the CoC was gradual. China, he said, would work with ASEAN countries to advance the CoC process to make the South China Sea truly a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

The High-Level Forum on the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership was attended by more than 150 participants from ASEAN countries and China. Panelists included senior officials and academics whose work involved ASEAN-China cooperation. Participants exchanged views on various topics pertaining to ASEAN-China relations, including a review of achievements, opportunities, and challenges to the future of ASEAN-China relations. They also discussed the future direction of the partnership in the regional and global contexts, including the responsibilities of ASEAN and China. Mr. George Yeo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, also gave a lunch talk titled “China and ASEAN: Bound by Geography and History.”