On 9^th August 2014, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Acting Foreign Minister co-chaired the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting with His Excellency Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. The gist is as follows:

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed heartfelt condolences for the tragic earthquake that took place in Yunnan Province resulting in the loss of lives. The Meeting had comprehensive discussion to follow up on the 10^th anniversary of ASEAN-China strategic partnership. Both sides looked forward to the next decade, with China calling it the Diamond Decade, of strengthened relationship. The meeting had extensive discussion on advancing this partnership and ASEAN welcomed China’s proposals under the so-called 2+7 cooperation framework such as the establishment of the ASEAN Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the upgrading of ASEAN-China FTA which will be a building block of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and enhancing maritime cooperation. In this regard, ASEAN also welcomed China’s concept of maritime silk route of the 21^st century and the convening of the informal ASEAN-China Defense Ministerial Meeting early next year.

The most important dimension of ASEAN and China relations is the promotion of peace and stability in the region. ASEAN would like to see peace prevail in the South China Sea. ASEAN and China will undertake a dual track approach on the issue of South China Sea, i.e., the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. Thailand will be hosting the 8^th ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC in October 2014 and hopes to begin the process of drafting the COC. Currently, we have a paper on commonalities of elements that can be used in the COC. In the meantime, the meeting agreed to continue with the Early Harvest approach in coming up with measures to build trust and confidence and preempt incidents that could affect regional peace and stability. Thailand, as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, will continue to do our utmost to play a constructive role in ensuring that ASEAN-China relations and cooperation serve the common interest and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world at large.

 After the meeting, the Permanent Secretary and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China held a joint press conference to brief the press about the meeting.