Chinese Foreign Minister Meets Chairman of Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council to Boost Regional Stability

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on Thursday with Surakiart Sathirathai, chairman of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC) and former deputy prime minister of Thailand, in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The meeting coincided with the signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), marking a significant step towards multilateral conflict resolution in the region.

Wang Yi, who also serves as a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized that China's initiative to establish the IOMed offers the international community an innovative option for voluntary dispute resolution and reconciliation. He described the effort as a concrete action to support multilateralism and a demonstration of commitment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

“China is ready to join hands with Asian nations to make full use of regional mechanisms such as China-ASEAN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue,” Wang stated. He highlighted these platforms as essential for safeguarding the hard-earned peace and stability in Asia, particularly at a time when geopolitical tensions continue to pose challenges to the region's security and development.

Surakiart Sathirathai expressed his honor at being invited to Hong Kong SAR for the historic moment, noting the timeliness and relevance of the Chinese initiative amid the current global landscape. He underscored the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue in achieving lasting peace and prosperity across Asia.

Looking forward, Surakiart voiced the APRC’s eagerness to collaborate more closely with China, aiming to contribute significantly to peacebuilding and sustainable development throughout the Asian continent. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening partnerships and fostering mechanisms for effective mediation and reconciliation.