Promoting Asian Cooperation for a Shared Bright Future

促进亚洲合作，共创美好未来

Remarks by Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu

At the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM)

Of the Asian Partners of ASEM

August 6, Chengdu

　　——外交部副部长马朝旭在亚欧会议亚洲高官会上的致辞

　　Dear Colleagues,

　　Distinguished Guests,

　　各位同事、各位来宾，

　　It gives me great pleasure to come to Chengdu and join you in this discussion on how to promote greater Asia-Europe cooperation and Asian unity. Let me first extend, on behalf of the Foreign Ministry of the People’s Republic of China, a very warm welcome to you all.

　　很高兴与大家相聚在成都，共商亚欧合作，共筑亚洲团结。首先，我谨代表中华人民共和国外交部，对各位嘉宾的到来表示热烈欢迎!

　　Since its inception 23 years ago, the ASEM has come a long way with a growing partnership. Committed to mutual respect, equal-footed dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, ASEM has played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding between us, and has set a fine example for multilateralism and regional cooperation.

　　自1996年成立以来，亚欧会议走过了不平凡的23年，成员不断增加。亚欧各方相互尊重，平等对话，合作共赢，为增进相互了解，推进亚欧各领域合作发挥了重要作用，为全世界的多边合作树立了榜样，堪称多边主义和区域合作的积极践行者。

　　With a fast-changing global landscape, rising uncertainty and instability, and unilateralism and protectionism that are seriously undermining the UN-centered international system, the world has come to a crossroads. The challenges that come with globalization can only be addressed through the concerted efforts of international community. At the 12th ASEM Summit, our leaders sent a strong message of upholding multilateralism and free trade. It is important for us to build on this momentum at this year’s ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and follow through on our leaders’ consensus to create a favorable atmosphere for the Cambodia Summit next year.

　　当前，国际形势加速演变，不确定性、不稳定性凸显。单边主义、保护主义严重冲击以联合国为核心的国际体系。世界面临何去何从的关键十字路口。全球化带来的挑战，只能通过国际社会齐心协力，合作应对。第十二届亚欧首脑会议期间，各国领导人一致发出坚定维护多边主义和自由贸易的强音，展现了亚欧会议成员的责任担当。今年第十四届亚欧外长会应延续这一积极势头，落实好领导人共识，为明年柬埔寨首脑会议营造良好氛围。

　　Over the years, the Asian partners of ASEM have played an important role in advancing cooperation between Asia and Europe to the benefit of people on both continents. Asia is where we live and thrive. No matter how the international situation may evolve, we will stay true to our Asian identity and remain committed to building a better future for Asia. As the host of this SOM meeting, China hopes that this platform will facilitate greater communication and unity among Asian partners and better enable us to rise to challenges through close cooperation.

　　多年来，亚洲组成员为推进亚欧合作发挥了重要作用，为造福亚欧人民做出了重要贡献。亚洲是我们共同的发展空间，我们都生长在亚洲这片沃土。无论国际形势如何变幻，我们都将始终扎根亚洲、建设亚洲、造福亚洲。中方希望此次高官会能为大家加强沟通、巩固团结提供平台，从而合作应对新问题新挑战。

　　First, to uphold multilateralism, which is more imperative in today’s world than ever before. We must promote cultural diversity and inclusive development, and keep to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. We must promote greater democracy in international relations so that the legitimate concerns, rights and interests of developing countries can be fully accommodated. We must stand together in defending multilateralism and upholding international justice.

　　第一，要捍卫多边主义。当今世界比以往任何时候都更需要坚持多边主义。我们要坚持文明多样性和发展包容性,秉持共商共建共享原则，携手推进国际关系民主化进程，充分照顾发展中国家合理诉求和正当权益，共同捍卫多边主义，积极维护国际公平正义。

　　Second, to pursue greater openness in the world economy. ASEM partners have a lot to offer each other. We commit ourselves to improving global governance and promoting an open, inclusive and balanced economic globalization. We must defend a fair, free and non-discriminatory multilateral trading regime, and oppose trade protectionism and bullying practices. We need to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and foster an Asia-Europe market to turn the Eurasian continent into a region with the economic, trade and development achievements unseen in other parts of the world.

　　第二，要打造开放型世界经济。亚欧会议成员互补性强。各国应致力于改善全球经济治理，推动建设开放、包容、普惠、平衡、共赢的经济全球化。各国应捍卫公正、自由和非歧视的多边贸易体制，反对各种形式的贸易保护主义和霸凌行为。我们应推进贸易和投资自由化便利化，推动构建亚欧大市场，使亚欧大陆成为世界上经济最活跃、贸易往来最频繁、发展最繁荣的地区。

　　Third, to enhance connectivity. Better connectivity would pave the way for an open economy in Asia and Europe and meet the aspiration of our people. It is important for the Asian partners of ASEM to see ourselves as a community with a shared future, promote political, economic and cultural connectivity and interaction, and deliver to the people the real benefits of it. Our pressing task is to deliver on the APGC Plan for Areas of Focus and Related Actions on Connectivity adopted at last year’s Summit. We could start with the areas most relevant to people’s livelihood and strive for early harvests. In this process, the SOM must perform its coordinating role to the fullest extent possible.

　　第三，要推进互联互通建设。互联互通建设是构建开放型亚欧经济的基础，是亚欧人民的共同期待。亚洲组成员应树立亚洲命运共同体意识，推进政治、经济、文化全方位互联互通和良性互动，使民众切实享有互联互通建设带来的实惠。当务之急是落实好去年首脑会通过的工作组报告，在贴近民生且基础较好的领域，尽快取得早期收获。在此过程中，我们既要发挥专业部门优势，更要发挥好高官会统筹协调职能。

　　Fourth, to pursue greater unity and coordination. As the Asian partners of ASEM face the same pressing task of pursuing development and bettering the lives of our people, we have similar positions and support one another on many issues. We may use ASEM as a platform to seek common ground and put aside differences through candid communication, and to explore a way leading to more coordination, and cooperation, friendship, and mutual trust.

　　第四，要加强亚洲团结协调。当前亚洲成员都面临促发展、惠民生的迫切任务，在许多问题上立场相近，能够相互理解和支持。我们期待亚洲组成员以亚欧会议为平台，坦诚沟通，求同存异，探索密切协调合作，巩固友好互信的方式途径。

　　Ladies and Gentlemen,

　　女士们，先生们!

　　Coming this October, the People’s Republic of China will mark its 70th anniversary. Going forward, China will stay firmly committed to reform at home and opening up to the world. As President Xi Jinping puts it, China will keep to the path of peaceful development, pursue a global partnership, uphold multilateralism, support economic globalization and free trade, and promote the reform of the global governance.

　　我们即将迎来中华人民共和国成立70周年。中国对内深化改革、对外扩大开放的决心坚定不移。正如习近平主席指出的，中国将坚定不移走和平发展道路，积极发展全球伙伴关系，坚定支持多边主义，坚定维护经济全球化和自由贸易，积极参与推动全球治理变革。

　　Ladies and Gentlemen,

　　The Chengdu Plain, where this city is located, has long been known as “the land of abundance”. It was the starting point of the ancient “Southern Silk Road”. Today, Chengdu stands as an economic hub on the forefront of opening-up in western China, and plays an important role in strengthening economic and cultural ties between Asia and Europe. Hence a fitting place for our meeting.

　　成都平原素有“天府之国”的美誉，历史悠久，物产丰饶。这里是“南方丝绸之路”起点，是中国西部重要的经济中心和开放前沿，在加强亚欧经济文化联系中扮演重要角色。让我们共同努力绘就亚欧合作美好未来，共同构建人类命运共同体。

　　I wish all of you a pleasant stay in Chengdu and this SOM a full success.

　　Thank you!