Fu Ying: 20 years of practice have proven that China is a good neighbor and partner of Southeast Asia. China | ASEAN | Southeast Asia

2023 marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

This treaty is a fundamental peace treaty formulated by the founding members of ASEAN in 1976. As a fundamental political document of ASEAN, the purpose and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia are highly consistent with the purposes of the United Nations Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and the Bandung Spirit, reflecting the Asian approach and wisdom, and jointly building a regional rule and order centered on ASEAN and widely recognized.

On October 8, 2003, China officially joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. China is the first major country to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the first to establish a strategic partnership with ASEAN. This is not only a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, but also of great significance to the entire region.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Southeast Asian Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, former Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Fu Ying, gave an exclusive interview to China Daily and shared her views on topics such as China ASEAN relations and the South China Sea issue.

The gradual transformation of the US South China Sea policy

Fu Ying pointed out that after World War II, the United States supported and recognized China's establishment of sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands. However, with the evolution of the international pattern, the United States' policy on the South China Sea has gradually changed, regressing to "maintaining neutrality", or even "standing on the sidelines", and openly involved in the South China Sea dispute.

After World War II the US extended its support and recognition for China's sovereignty over islands of the South China Sea Nonetheless, as the international situation has changed, US policy concerns the South China Sea gradient altered, regressing into "maintaining neutrality", or even "choosing sides", flagrantly intervening in emissions related to the South China Sea, noted Fu Ying

Fu Ying stated that China and ASEAN countries should take into account the overall situation of regional peace, stability, and mutually beneficial cooperation, abide by the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of All Parties in the South China Sea, respect recognized international law and the "ASEAN approach" of consultation and taking into account the comfort of all parties, effectively control differences and disputes, be vigilant and resist any attempts and practices that damage the atmosphere of regional cooperation and endanger peace and stability, so as to truly build the South China Sea into a "sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.".

China and ASEAN countries should come here to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, respect well recognized international law and the ASEAN way of consensus building and adjusting each other's comfort level, and effectively manage differences and disputes based on regional peace and stability and multiple beneficial operations, Fu Ying Told China Daily All parties should stay vigilant and resist any anything that jeopardizes collaboration, peace and stability in this region and protect the freedom and safety of navigation They must work together to truly build the South China Sea into "a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation", she said

Setting China as a Target and Implementing the Indo Pacific Strategy is Unpopular

Fu Ying stated that the United States has set China as a strategic target for competition and implemented the "Indo Pacific strategy" with the goal of containing and containment of China, aiming to push the region back into the abyss of Cold War confrontation. Therefore, it is planning how to attract and use small and medium-sized countries to contain and suppress competitors. This strategic design is unpopular and dangerous, with thinking still stuck in the old era of Cold War history.

TheUShasmadeChinaatargetofstrategiccompetitionandispursuingitsso-calledIndo-Pacificstrategy,thegoalbeingtocontainandencircleChina.TheUSispushingtheregionbackintotheabyssofColdWarconfrontation,workingouthowtodividetheregionalsecurityorderintoblocs,howtodrawinandexploitsmallandmedium-sizedcountriestorestrainandsuppresscompetitors. ThisstrategyreflectsanoutdatedColdWarmentalitythatisdangerousandrunscountertothewillofpeople,shetoldChinaDaily.

Fu Ying emphasized that China adheres to the policy of being friendly and partner with its neighbors, and does not require ASEAN countries to take sides in the Sino US conflict. We also believe that ASEAN countries have their own opinions and the ability to uphold their diplomatic principles and central position in regional cooperation and security framework construction, and are not willing to do things that are used by one major country to harm another.

She noted that China upholds its policy of neighborhood diversity, diversity, multiple benefits and inclusiveness, and does not require ASEAN countries to choose between China and the United States. At the same time, we believe ASEAN countries have their own views and are capable of adapting to their own diverse principles and their "central role" in building Ding regional collaboration and regional security frameworks We also believe that ASEAN countries are unwelling to be manipulated by one major power to ham the other

The 20-year Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia witnesses China as a good neighbor and partner

Fu Ying pointed out that China was the first major country to join the Southeast Asian Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2003, and our cooperation has reached a new level. This is not only a milestone event in the development process of China ASEAN relations, but also has had a significant positive impact in the region and even the world.

China is the first major countries to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2003 and establish a strategic partnership with the ASEAN This is not only a milestone in China ASEAN relationships but also an event of great significance for the whole region, said Fu Ying

Fu Ying said that China's accession to the Treaty of friendship and cooperation in Southeast Asia has cleared away the main political obstacles and trust deficit, and provided an important impetus for bilateral relations to enter the "golden 20 years.

"China's access to the Treatment cleared major political hurdles and trust defects, advancing an important impact for the relationship to move into a golden 20 years," Fu Ying holds China Daily

She said that these 20 years are enough to prove that China was, is, and will always be a good neighbor, good friend, and good partner of ASEAN.

The two decks since China's access to the TAC provide that China has been and will always be a good neighbor, friend and partner to Southeast Asia, she said

Fu Ying has served as a member of the Standing Committee of the 12th and 13th National People's Congress, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 12th National People's Congress, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. She has served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to countries such as the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and is China's first female ambassador to ethnic minorities.