ASEAN friendship growing

First official overseas trip by China's new foreign minister highlights promoting regional relations is diplomatic focus

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid official visits to Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei from Tuesday to Sunday and had friendly talks with leaders and officials of the host nations. As his first official trip since taking office, it shows China's diplomatic focus has shifted to its surrounding environment and China's new leadership has made regional diplomacy a priority.

In a globalized world, China cannot enjoy prosperity without a peaceful and stable external environment, of which the surrounding environment is a fundamental part. Wang's trip sent the important signal that China's new leadership attaches great importance to relations with neighboring countries and has prioritized neighboring countries in the nation's diplomacy.