Regional countries should build and protect a neighborhood community with shared future

As a testament to the bitter lessons learned from experience, Southeast Asian nations emphasize the importance of upholding peace and stability. However, external forces have been intensifying their efforts to introduce bloc confrontation and geopolitical conflicts into the region.

The United States, constrained by a zero-sum mindset entrenched in history, is the ringleader in these endeavors, seeking to sow discord by exploiting territorial disputes between China and certain members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. This unsettling trend appears set to continue, as the US administration is employing tariffs to pressure countries into aligning with objectives beyond trade, primarily focused on containing China. Notably, among the 10 countries most affected by tariffs, five are ASEAN members, from whom the US administration will undoubtedly seek commitments to its agenda.

But under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the direction of heads of state diplomacy, China-ASEAN relations are a vivid illustration of China's commitment to the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy and its commitment to help build a neighborhood community with a shared future.