In a joint statement, China and Russia announce a new international order and the arrival of a multipolar world.

247 - A statement proclaiming a new international order and the beginning of a multipolar world is the result of the meeting between the presidents of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and China, Xi Jinping, in Beijing on the morning of this Friday (4).

Putin is in China to attend the start of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Read the full text of the historic statement (here (the version released in English):

"At the invitation of the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir V. Putin, visited China on February 4, 2022. The Heads of State held talks in Beijing and attended the opening ceremony of the XXIV Winter Olympics."

The Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China declare the following.

Today, the world is undergoing significant changes, and humanity is entering a new era of rapid development and profound transformation. This is evident in the development of processes and phenomena such as multipolarity, economic globalization, the advent of the information society, cultural diversity, the transformation of the global governance architecture and world order; there is increasing interrelation and interdependence among states; a trend towards the redistribution of power in the world has emerged; and the international community shows a growing demand for leadership aimed at peaceful and gradual development. At the same time, as the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection continues, the international and regional security situation is becoming more complicated, and the number of global challenges and threats is growing daily. Some actors representing a minority on the international scale continue to advocate unilateral approaches to address international issues and resort to force; they interfere in the internal affairs of other states, infringing on their legitimate rights and interests, and incite contradictions, differences, and confrontations, hindering the development and progress of humanity, against the opposition of the international community.

The parties call upon all States to pursue the well-being of all and, with these objectives, to build dialogue and mutual trust, strengthen mutual understanding, uphold universal human values ​​such as peace, development, equality, justice, democracy and freedom, respect the rights of peoples to independently determine the development paths of their countries and the sovereignty and security and development interests of States, to protect the international architecture driven by the United Nations and the world order based on international law, pursue genuine multipolarity with the United Nations and its Security Council playing a central and coordinating role, promote more democratic international relations and ensure peace, stability and sustainable development throughout the world.

The parties share the understanding that democracy is a universal human value, not a privilege of a limited number of states, and that its promotion and protection is a common responsibility of the entire world community.

The parties believe that democracy is a means of citizen participation in the government of their country with a view to improving the well-being of the population and implementing the principle of popular government. Democracy is exercised in all spheres of public life as part of a national process and reflects the interests of all peoples, their will, guarantees their rights, meets their needs and protects their interests. There is no single model to guide countries in establishing democracy. A nation can choose the forms and methods of implementing democracy that best suit its particular state, based on its social and political system, its history, traditions and unique cultural characteristics. It is up to the people of the country alone to decide whether their state is democratic.

The parties note that Russia and China, as world powers with a rich cultural and historical heritage, have long-standing democratic traditions, drawing on a thousand years of development experience, broad popular support, and consideration for the needs and interests of citizens. Russia and China guarantee their people the right to participate in various ways and forms in the administration of the state and public life in accordance with the law. The peoples of both countries are confident in their chosen democratic systems and respect the traditions of other states.

The parties observe that democratic principles are implemented globally, as well as in state administration. Attempts by some states to impose their own “democratic standards” on other countries, to monopolize the right to assess the level of compliance with democratic criteria, to draw dividing lines based on ideology, including establishing exclusive blocs and alliances of convenience, are nothing more than a disrespect for democracy and go against the spirit and true values ​​of democracy. Such attempts at hegemony represent serious threats to global and regional peace and stability and undermine the stability of the world order.

The parties believe that the defense of democracy and human rights should not be used to pressure other countries. They oppose the abuse of democratic values ​​and interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states under the pretext of protecting democracy and human rights, and any attempt to incite divisions and confrontations in the world. The sides call on the international community to respect cultural and civilizational diversity and the rights of peoples of different countries to self-determination. They are ready to work together with all interested partners to promote genuine democracy.

The parties observe that the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights establish noble objectives in the area of ​​universal human rights, setting forth fundamental principles that all States must fulfill and observe in action. At the same time, as each nation has its own unique national characteristics, history, culture, social system, and level of social and economic development, the universal nature of human rights must be viewed through the prism of the actual situation in each particular country, and human rights must be protected according to the specific situation of each country and the needs of its population. The promotion and protection of human rights is a shared responsibility of the international community. States must equally prioritize all categories of human rights and promote them systematically. International cooperation on human rights should be conducted as a dialogue between equals involving all countries. All States should have equal access to the right to development. Interaction and cooperation on human rights issues should be based on the principle of equality of all countries and mutual respect to strengthen the international human rights architecture.

The parties believe that peace, development, and cooperation are at the heart of the modern international system. Development is a key factor in ensuring the prosperity of nations. The ongoing pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection represents a serious challenge to the fulfillment of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is vital to enhance partnership relations for global development and ensure that the new stage of global development is defined by balance, harmony, and inclusion.

The parties are seeking to advance their work to link the development plans for the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative with the aim of intensifying practical cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and China in various areas and promoting greater interconnectedness between the Asia-Pacific and Eurasian regions. The sides reaffirm their focus on building the Greater Eurasian Partnership in parallel and in coordination with the Belt and Road Initiative to promote the development of regional partnerships, as well as bilateral and multilateral integration processes for the benefit of the peoples of the Eurasian continent.

The parties agreed to continue to consistently intensify practical cooperation for the sustainable development of the Arctic.

The parties will strengthen cooperation within multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations, and encourage the international community to prioritize development issues in the coordination of global macro-policies. They call on developed countries to implement in good faith their formal development assistance commitments, provide more resources to developing countries, address the uneven development of States, work to offset such imbalances within States, and advance global and international cooperation for development. The Russian side confirms its willingness to continue working on the Global Development Initiative proposed by China, including participation in the activities of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative under the auspices of the UN. In order to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the sides call on the international community to take practical measures in key areas of cooperation, such as poverty reduction, food security, vaccine and epidemic control, development finance, climate change, sustainable development, including green development, industrialization, the digital economy, and infrastructure connectivity.

The parties call on the international community to create open, equal, fair and non-discriminatory conditions for scientific and technological development, to intensify the practical implementation of scientific and technological advances, in order to identify new drivers of economic growth.

The parties call on all countries to strengthen cooperation in sustainable transport, actively build contacts and share knowledge in the construction of transport facilities, including smart and sustainable transport, development and use of Arctic routes, as well as developing other areas to support post-epidemic recovery.

The parties are taking serious steps and making an important contribution to the fight against climate change. Jointly celebrating the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, they reaffirm their commitment to this Convention, as well as to the objectives, principles and provisions of the Paris Agreement, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The sides are working together to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, remain committed to fulfilling the obligations they have undertaken, and expect developed countries to truly guarantee the annual provision of US$100 billion in climate finance to developing states. The sides oppose the creation of new barriers to international trade under the pretext of combating climate change.

The parties strongly support the development of international cooperation and exchange in the field of biological diversity, actively participating in the relevant global governance process, and intend to jointly promote the harmonious development of humanity and nature, as well as the green transformation to ensure sustainable global development.

The Heads of State positively assessed the effective interaction between Russia and China in both bilateral and multilateral formats, focusing on combating the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting the lives and health of the populations of both countries and the world. They will further increase cooperation in the development and manufacture of vaccines against the novel coronavirus infection, as well as medicines for its treatment, and enhance collaboration in public health and modern medicine. The sides plan to strengthen coordination on epidemiological measures to ensure strong health protection, safety, and order in contacts between citizens of the two countries. The parties commended the work of the competent authorities and regions of both countries in implementing quarantine measures in border areas and ensuring the stable functioning of border crossing points, and intend to consider establishing a joint mechanism for epidemic control and prevention in border zones to jointly plan anti-epidemic measures to be taken at border posts, share information, build infrastructure, and improve the efficiency of customs clearance of goods.

The parties emphasize that determining the origin of the novel coronavirus infection is a matter of science. Research on this topic must be based on global knowledge, and this requires cooperation among scientists worldwide. The sides oppose the politicization of this issue. The Russian side welcomes the joint work carried out by China and the WHO to identify the source of the novel coronavirus infection and supports the joint China-WHO report on the matter. The sides call on the global community to jointly promote a serious scientific approach to studying the origin of the coronavirus.

The Russian side supports the successful hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022 by the Chinese side.

Both parties greatly appreciate the level of bilateral cooperation in sports and the Olympic movement and express their willingness to contribute to its progressive development.

Both sides are seriously concerned about the grave challenges to international security and believe that the destinies of all nations are interconnected. No state can or should guarantee its own security separately from the security of the rest of the world and at the expense of the security of other states. The international community must actively engage in global governance to ensure universal, comprehensive, indivisible, and lasting security.

The parties reaffirm their strong mutual support for the protection of their core interests, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose interference by external forces in their internal affairs.

The Russian side reaffirms its support for the One China principle, confirms that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and opposes any form of Taiwanese independence.

Russia and China oppose attempts by external forces to undermine security and stability in their shared adjacent regions, intend to combat interference by external forces in the internal affairs of sovereign countries under any pretext, oppose color revolutions, and will increase cooperation in the aforementioned areas.

The parties condemn terrorism in all its manifestations, promote the idea of ​​creating a single global counter-terrorism front, with the United Nations playing a central role, advocate stronger political coordination and constructive engagement in multilateral counter-terrorism efforts. The parties oppose the politicization of counter-terrorism issues and their use as instruments of double standards policy, condemn the practice of interfering in the internal affairs of other States for geopolitical purposes through the use of terrorist and extremist groups, as well as under the pretext of combating terrorism and international extremism.

The parties believe that certain states, alliances, and military and political coalitions seek to obtain, directly or indirectly, unilateral military advantages to the detriment of the security of others, including by employing unfair competition practices, intensifying geopolitical rivalry, fueling antagonism and confrontation, and seriously compromising the international security order and global strategic stability. The parties oppose further NATO enlargement and call upon the North Atlantic Alliance to abandon its Cold War-ideologized approaches, respect the sovereignty, security, and interests of other countries, the diversity of their civilizational, cultural, and historical origins, and exercise an objective attitude toward the peaceful development of other states. The sides oppose the formation of closed bloc structures and opposing camps in the Asia-Pacific region and remain highly vigilant about the negative impact of the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy on peace and stability in the region. Russia and China have made consistent efforts to build a fair, open, and inclusive security system in the Asia-Pacific region (APR) that is not directed against third countries and that promotes peace, stability, and prosperity.

The parties welcome the Joint Declaration of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races and believe that all nuclear-weapon states should abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum games, reduce the role of nuclear weapons in their national security policies, withdraw deployed nuclear weapons from overseas, eliminate the unrestricted development of the global anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defense system, and take effective measures to reduce the risks of nuclear war and any armed conflict between countries with military nuclear capabilities.

The parties reaffirm that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is the cornerstone of the international system of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, an important part of the post-war international security system, and plays an indispensable role in world peace and development. The international community must promote the balanced implementation of the three pillars of the Treaty and work together to protect the credibility, effectiveness, and universal nature of the instrument.

The parties are seriously concerned about the Australia-United States-United Kingdom Trilateral Security Partnership (AUKUS), which envisions deeper cooperation among its members in areas involving strategic stability, particularly its decision to initiate cooperation in the area of ​​nuclear-powered submarines. Russia and China believe that such actions are contrary to the security and sustainable development objectives of the Asia-Pacific region, increase the danger of an arms race in the region, and pose serious risks of nuclear proliferation. The sides strongly condemn such measures and call upon the AUKUS participants to uphold their nuclear and missile non-proliferation commitments in good faith and to work together to safeguard peace, stability, and development in the region.

Japan's plans to release water contaminated with nuclear energy from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, and the potential environmental impact of such actions, are of great concern to both sides. Both sides emphasize that the disposal of water contaminated with nuclear energy must be handled responsibly and carried out appropriately, based on agreements between the Japanese side and neighboring states, other stakeholders, and relevant international agencies, ensuring transparency, scientific reasoning, and in accordance with international law.

Both sides believe that the US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range and Short-Range Missile Treaty, the acceleration of research and development of intermediate- and short-range ground-based missiles, and the desire to deploy them in the Asia-Pacific and European regions, as well as their transfer to allies, lead to increased tension and mistrust, heighten risks to international and regional security, weaken the international system of non-proliferation and arms control, and undermine global strategic stability. The side calls on the United States to respond positively to the Russian initiative and abandon its plans to deploy intermediate- and short-range ground-based missiles in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. The parties will continue to maintain contact and strengthen coordination on this issue.

The Chinese side is in solidarity with and supports the proposals put forward by the Russian Federation to create legally binding long-term security guarantees in Europe.

The sides note that the United States' denunciation of a number of important international arms control agreements has an extremely negative impact on international and regional security and stability. The sides express concern about the advancement of US plans to develop global missile defense and deploy its elements in various regions of the world, combined with the development of high-precision non-nuclear weapons for disarmament strikes and other strategic objectives. The sides emphasize the importance of the peaceful uses of outer space, strongly support the central role of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in promoting international cooperation, maintaining and developing international space laws and regulations in the field of space activities. Russia and China will continue to increase cooperation on matters of mutual interest, such as the long-term sustainability of space activities and the development and use of space resources. The sides oppose attempts by some States to transform outer space into an arena of armed confrontation and reiterate their intention to make every effort to prevent the weaponization of space and an arms race in outer space. They will neutralize activities aimed at achieving military superiority in space and using it for combat operations. The parties affirm the need for the early commencement of negotiations to conclude a legally binding multilateral instrument based on the draft Russian-Chinese treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space and the use or threat of force against space objects, which would provide reliable guarantees against an arms race and the weaponization of outer space.

Russia and China emphasize that appropriate transparency and confidence-building measures, including an international initiative/political commitment not to be the first to put weapons in space, can also contribute to the goal of preventing an arms race in outer space, but such measures should complement and not replace the effective legally binding regime governing space activities.

The parties reaffirm their belief that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC) is an essential pillar of international peace and security. Russia and China emphasize their determination to preserve the credibility and effectiveness of the Convention.

The parties affirm the need to fully respect and further strengthen the BWC, including by institutionalizing it, strengthening its mechanisms, and adopting a legally binding Protocol to the Convention with an effective verification mechanism, as well as through regular consultations and cooperation to address any issues related to the implementation of the Convention.

The parties emphasize that domestic and foreign biological weapons activities by the United States and its allies raise serious concerns and questions for the international community regarding compliance with the BWC. The sides share the view that such activities pose a serious threat to the national security of the Russian Federation and China and are detrimental to the security of their respective regions. The sides call upon the U.S. and its allies to act openly, transparently, and responsibly, adequately reporting their military biological activities conducted abroad and on their national territory, and supporting the resumption of negotiations on a legally binding BWC Protocol with an effective verification mechanism.

The Parties, reaffirming their commitment to the goal of a world free of chemical weapons, call upon all Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention to work together to maintain its credibility and effectiveness. Russia and China are deeply concerned about the politicization of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and call upon all its members to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and safeguard the tradition of consensual decision-making. Russia and China urge the United States, as the only State Party to the Convention that has not yet completed the process of eliminating chemical weapons, to accelerate the elimination of its chemical weapons stockpiles. The sides emphasize the importance of balancing States' non-proliferation obligations with the interests of legitimate international cooperation in the use of advanced technology and related materials and equipment for peaceful purposes. The parties observe the resolution entitled “Promoting International Cooperation for Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security,” adopted at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly at the initiative of China and co-sponsored by Russia, and look forward to its consistent implementation in accordance with the goals set forth therein.

The parties attach great importance to governance issues in the field of artificial intelligence. They are prepared to strengthen dialogue and contacts on artificial intelligence.

The parties reiterate their willingness to deepen cooperation in the field of international information security and contribute to building an open, secure, sustainable and accessible ICT environment. The parties emphasize that the principles of non-use of force, respect for national sovereignty and fundamental human rights and freedoms, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, enshrined in the UN Charter, are applicable to the information space. Russia and China reaffirm the fundamental role of the UN in responding to threats to international information security and express their support for the Organization in developing new norms of conduct for States in this area.

The parties welcome the implementation of the global negotiation process on international information security within a single mechanism and, in this context, support the work of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on the Security and Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) 2021–2025 (OEWG), expressing their willingness to speak with one voice within it. The parties consider it necessary to consolidate the efforts of the international community to develop new norms of responsible State conduct, including legal norms, as well as a universal international legal instrument to regulate State activities in the field of ICTs. The parties believe that the Global Data Security Initiative, proposed by the Chinese side and supported, in principle, by the Russian side, provides a basis for the Working Group to discuss and develop responses to data security threats and other threats to international information security.

The parties reiterate their support for United Nations General Assembly resolutions 74/247 and 75/282, support the work of the relevant Ad Hoc Committee of Governmental Experts, and facilitate negotiations within the United Nations for the drafting of an international convention on combating the use of ICTs for criminal purposes. The parties encourage the constructive participation of all parties in the negotiations in order to reach an agreement as quickly as possible on a credible, universal and comprehensive convention and to submit it to the United Nations General Assembly at its 78th session in strict accordance with resolution 75/282. To this end, Russia and China have submitted a joint draft convention as a basis for the negotiations.

Both sides support the internationalization of Internet governance, advocate for equal rights to its governance, believe that any attempts to limit their sovereign right to regulate national segments of the Internet and ensure its security are unacceptable, and are interested in greater involvement of the International Telecommunication Union in addressing these issues.

The sides intend to deepen bilateral cooperation in international information security based on the relevant 2015 intergovernmental agreement. To this end, the parties agreed to adopt a cooperation plan between Russia and China in this area in the near future.

The parties underline that Russia and China, as world powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, intend to firmly adhere to moral principles and accept their responsibility, strongly defend the international system with the central coordinating role of the United Nations in international affairs, uphold the world order based on international law, including the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, advance multipolarity and promote the democratization of international relations, together create an even more prosperous, stable and just world, and jointly build international relations of a new type.

The Russian side highlights the importance of the concept of building a “community of shared destiny for mankind” proposed by the Chinese side to ensure greater solidarity within the international community and to consolidate efforts to address common challenges. The Chinese side notes the importance of the Russian side's efforts to establish a just multipolar system of international relations.

The parties intend to strongly defend the outcomes of the Second World War and the existing postwar world order, uphold the authority of the United Nations and justice in international relations, and resist attempts to deny, distort, and falsify the history of the Second World War.

To avoid a repeat of the tragedy of the world war, the sides will strongly condemn actions aimed at denying responsibility for the atrocities of the Nazi aggressors, militaristic invaders and their accomplices, and at tarnishing and defiling the honor of the victorious countries.

The parties call for the establishment of a new type of relationship between world powers based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation. They reaffirm that the new interstate relations between Russia and China are superior to the political and military alliances of the Cold War era. The friendship between the two states has no limits, there are no "forbidden" areas of cooperation, and the strengthening of bilateral strategic cooperation is not directed against third countries nor affected by changes in the international environment and circumstantial changes in third countries.

The parties reiterate the need for consolidation, not division, of the international community, and the need for cooperation, not confrontation. They oppose a return of international relations to a state of confrontation between great powers, where the weak are victims of the strong. They intend to resist attempts to replace universally recognized and internationally law-consistent formats and mechanisms with rules privately drafted by certain nations or blocs of nations, and oppose the indirect and non-consensual approach to international problems, oppose power politics, bullying, sanctions and extraterritorial application of jurisdiction, as well as the abuse of export control policies, and support trade facilitation in accordance with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The parties reaffirmed their intention to strengthen foreign policy coordination, pursue genuine multilateralism, enhance cooperation on multilateral platforms, defend common interests, support the international and regional balance of power, and improve global governance.

The parties support and defend the multilateral trading system based on the central role of the World Trade Organization (WTO), actively participate in WTO reform, and oppose unilateral and protectionist approaches. The parties are ready to strengthen dialogue among partners and coordinate positions on trade and economic issues of common interest, contribute to ensuring the sustainable and stable operation of global and regional value chains, and promote a more open, inclusive, transparent, and non-discriminatory system of international trade and economic rules.

The parties support the G20 format as an important forum for discussing issues of international economic cooperation and crisis response measures, jointly promote the renewed spirit of solidarity and cooperation within the G20, and support the association's leading role in areas such as the international fight against epidemics, global economic recovery, inclusive sustainable development, and improving the global economic governance system in a fair and rational manner to collectively address global challenges.

The parties support the deepened strategic partnership within BRICS, promoting expanded cooperation in three main areas: politics and security, economics and finance, and humanitarian exchanges. In particular, Russia and China intend to encourage interaction in the fields of public health, digital economy, science, innovation and technology, including artificial intelligence technologies, as well as increased coordination among BRICS countries on international platforms. The sides strive to further strengthen the BRICS Plus/Outreach format as an effective mechanism for dialogue with regional integration associations and organizations of developing countries and emerging market states.

The Russian side will fully support the Chinese side, which will chair the association in 2022, and will assist in the successful holding of the 14th BRICS summit.

Russia and China aim to comprehensively strengthen the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and further enhance its role in shaping a polycentric world order based on the universally recognized principles of international law, multilateralism, and equal, joint, indivisible, comprehensive, and sustainable security.

They consider it important to consistently implement the agreements on enhanced mechanisms to combat the security challenges and threats to SCO member states and, in the context of addressing this task, advocate for expanding the functionality of the SCO Regional Counterterrorism Framework.

The parties will contribute to bringing a new quality and dynamism to economic interaction among SCO member states in the areas of trade, manufacturing, transport, energy, finance, investment, agriculture, customs, telecommunications, innovation and other areas of mutual interest, including through the use of advanced, resource-saving, energy-efficient and “green” technologies.

The parties note the fruitful interaction within the SCO under the 2009 Agreement between the Governments of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on cooperation in the field of international information security, as well as within the specialized Expert Group. In this context, they welcome the adoption of the SCO Joint Action Plan to Secure International Information Security for 2022–2023 by the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States on September 17, 2021 in Dushanbe.

Russia and China recognize the growing importance of cultural and humanitarian cooperation for the progressive development of the SCO. In order to strengthen mutual understanding among the peoples of the SCO member states, they will continue to effectively promote interaction in areas such as cultural ties, education, science and technology, health, environmental protection, tourism, people-to-people contacts, and sports.

Russia and China will continue to work to strengthen APEC's role as a leading platform for multilateral dialogue on economic issues in the Asia-Pacific region. The parties intend to intensify coordinated action to successfully implement the "Putrajaya Guidelines for APEC Development to 2040," focusing on creating a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, and predictable trade and investment environment in the region. Special emphasis will be placed on combating the novel coronavirus pandemic and economic recovery, the digitalization of a wide range of different spheres of life, economic growth in remote territories, and establishing interaction between APEC and other regional multilateral associations with a similar agenda.

The parties intend to develop cooperation in the "Russia-India-China" format, as well as strengthen interaction in venues such as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Security Forum, the ASEAN Member States' Defence Ministers Meeting, and Dialogue Partners. Russia and China support ASEAN's central role in developing cooperation in East Asia, continue to increase coordination in deepening cooperation with ASEAN, and jointly promote cooperation in the areas of public health, sustainable development, counter-terrorism, and combating transnational crime. The parties intend to continue working towards a strengthened role for ASEAN as a key element of the regional architecture.

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