ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn has reiterated the bloc's unwavering commitment to the one-China principle, calling it a fundamental consensus that remains 'consistent and unequivocal' in 2026. In a January 12 interview with Xinhua, the regional leader emphasized that all 11 member states explicitly uphold this policy in their foreign relations.
'The ASEAN Charter enshrines sovereignty and territorial integrity as core principles,' Kao stated, adding that constructive engagement with China continues to serve as an anchor for long-term peace in Asia. This declaration comes amid heightened global uncertainties, with ASEAN-China cooperation maintaining steady progress in trade, energy, and digital economy sectors.
Recent data shows bilateral trade between ASEAN and the Chinese mainland grew 5.3% year-on-year through Q4 2025, while joint infrastructure projects have created over 12,000 regional jobs. Cultural exchanges also reached record levels last year, with 2.1 million student exchanges facilitated through the ASEAN-China Youth Scholarship program.
Analysts suggest this reaffirmation strengthens regional economic integration efforts ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Leadership Forum in Jakarta, where cross-strait cooperation mechanisms are expected to feature prominently in agenda discussions.
