On the evening of June 13, 2016, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held and addressed the welcome banquet for foreign ministers attending the Special China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Yuxi, Yunnan.

Wang Yi expressed that linked by mountains and rivers, China and ASEAN countries are inseparable and permanent neighbors. Hence, we should be ever-lasting friends and partners, which should be our only correct and common choice.

Wang Yi stated that this year marks the 25th anniversary since the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. Twenty-five years may just be a blink in the history of mankind and of Asia, but we have witnessed earth-shaking changes in China-ASEAN relations in the past 25 years. Bilateral relations between China and ASEAN countries have achieved huge progress and China and the ASEAN have become comprehensive strategic cooperative partners. The two sides have established an all-around, wide-ranging and multi-level cooperation pattern with dimensional layout.

Wang Yi noted that reviewing the past and in light of the present, we should cherish the hard-won peace in this region and prevent any forces from disturbing the tranquility of our common home.

Wang Yi said that we should cherish the remarkable achievements from common cooperation and not let any problems disrupt the overall situation of cooperation.

Wang Yi expressed that we should treasure the historic opportunity for the development and growth of China and ASEAN countries, while keeping anything from interrupting our development courses.

China is willing to join hands with all parties to firmly commit to the goal of building a closer China-ASEAN community of common destiny proposed by President Xi Jinping and devote unremitting efforts to this end.