China-Asean partnership is helping build common home and shared future

On November 22, 2021, President Xi Jinping and leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) formally announced the creation of a China-Asean Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Guided by the shared vision of fostering a community with a common future, China and Asean have worked together to build a region that is peaceful, secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable.

Over the past five years, this partnership has flourished, marked by deepened political relations, robust high-level exchanges and numerous achievements in various fields.

Political relations have strengthened, with Xi paying state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia in 2025. China has reached agreements with eight Asean countries to build bilateral communities with a shared future. Together, they have emerged as a strong advocate for multilateralism, the post-World War II international order and lasting peace and development. Their cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating transnational crimes, and humanitarian mine action has enhanced regional safety and well-being.

Economic cooperation has also seen significant growth. In 2025, two-way trade surpassed US$1 trillion, making China Asean's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. Cumulative two-way investment exceeded US$515 billion. Cooperation in emerging fields like the digital economy, artificial intelligence and green development has gained momentum. Infrastructure projects, such as the China-Laos Railway and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" industrial projects, have boosted regional development and prosperity.

People-to-people bonds have also strengthened through a series of events hosted during the China-Asean Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Over 200 pairs of sister cities have been formed between the two sides, with China being the top source of tourists for Asean. The Lancang-Mekong Visa and Asean Visa have further facilitated travel between the two regions. From 2023 to 2025, mutual visits between China and Asean topped nearly 100 million.

China and Asean have consistently championed shared values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness. On the South China Sea issue, China emphasizes the importance of regional countries working together to resolve disputes and promote peace, stability, cooperation and friendship. As China commits to full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties, the partnership continues to set a positive example for regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, driving Asia's development and revitalization.