Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi stated China's views on the situation in the Asia-Pacific at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the afternoon of 12 July, 2012.

Foreign Minister Yang said that despite the profound impact of the international financial crisis and sluggish recovery of the global economy, the Asia-Pacific region has maintained the momentum of robust growth and become an important driving force for world economic recovery and growth. Dynamic regional cooperation has played an important part in promoting development, stability and prosperity of the region. The achievements of this region are attributable to the generally peaceful and stable environment over the past decades and to the concerted efforts of all countries in the region. They should be cherished by us all.

At the same time, our region still faces quite a few challenges. The most salient ones include the fragile global economic situation and the existing deep impact of the international financial crisis. There is a big development gap between Asian countries and many of them are at a low level of development. We face growing resource and environmental constraints and grave non-traditional security challenges. Given these circumstances, it is all the more important that countries in the region enhance solidarity and deepen cooperation to advance the overall interests of peace and stability and boost internal growth and consumption to sustain the development momentum.

Stability and development of China, the most populous country in the world, is in itself a major contribution to stability and development in the region. In our interactions with other Asia-Pacific countries, we have keenly felt that in today's world where globalization is gaining momentum and interests of countries become more closely entwined, to seek common development and common security through dialogue and cooperation is the only viable way leading to enduring peace and security. It is also the shared responsibility of all sides.

Countries shoulder shared responsibilities for upholding peace, stability and development in the region. Early last month, the presidents of China and Russia met in Beijing. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together to achieve regional security and sustainable development, advance the common interests of regional countries and maintain a stable and safe environment. In mid June, the presidents of China and the United States met during the G20 Summit in Los Cabos. They agreed to build together a cooperative China-US relationship based on mutual respect and mutual benefit and foster a new type of relationship between major countries. They also agreed to enhance communication, mutual trust and cooperation and properly handle their interactions in the Asia-Pacific. ASEAN countries are stepping up efforts to achieve the ASEAN Community by 2015. Asia-Pacific countries should have the wisdom and ability to reject Cold-War and zero-sum mentality, properly deal with differences, and expand converging interests so as to lead our region onto a path of peace, development and cooperation in the 21st century.