Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang looked to strengthen the China-ASEAN relationship during his congratulatory message to Kao Kim Hourn on his inauguration as secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday.
As the 15th Secretary-General of ASEAN, Kao will serve from 2023 to 2027.
Noting that ASEAN is an important regional organization in Southeast Asia, Qin said in his message that ASEAN has long been committed to maintaining regional peace and stability, promoting economic growth, social progress and cultural development, and promoting regional cooperation.
“I look forward to having a good working relationship with Secretary-General Kao,” said Qin, adding that both sides will focus on building the “five homelands” of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty and friendship, deepening China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Since establishing dialogue relations with ASEAN in 1991, China has firmly supported ASEAN community building and ASEAN centrality in regional cooperation and promoted the upgrading of bilateral relations.
(Cover: A file photo of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. /CFP)