Joint Statement of China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers on Strengthening Humanitarian Mine Clearance Cooperation
We, the People’s Republic of China and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), gathered in Vientiane, Laos on July 26, 2024, to attend the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting;
Deploring the large number of civilian casualties caused by mines and other explosive remnants of war in the region, and recognizing that they pose a serious threat to people’s security and economic and social development;
Appreciating the great efforts and great achievements made by ASEAN countries affected by mines and other explosive remnants of war in the field of mine clearance in recent years;
Noting that many ASEAN countries are still in the process of clearing the threat of mines and other explosive remnants of war
The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) has been recognized for its role in promoting ASEAN’s efforts to address the problems of mines and other explosive remnants of war for willing ASEAN countries and raising awareness of the dangers of the problem among the affected population;
Also recognized that strengthening cooperation in mine clearance is essential to maintaining peace, security, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in the region;
Appreciated China’s cooperation in mine clearance since 1998 The valuable support provided to relevant ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre affected by mines and other explosive remnants of war since 2015 demonstrates the friendship and cooperation between China and ASEAN, and notes China’s vision of building a peaceful, tranquil, prosperous, beautiful and friendly home in the region;
Reaffirming the commitment to the Joint Statement of the China-ASEAN Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Dialogue Relations – Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Security, Prosperity and Sustainable Development, the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Joint Declaration on the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (2021-2025), and the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. ASEAN-China Partnership Action Plan (2022-2025) and other important documents, strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote the development of China-ASEAN relations;
In view of this, we:
1. Emphasize the importance of humanitarian mine clearance operations, raise public awareness of the hazards of mines and other explosive remnants of war, accelerate the restoration of land contaminated by residues, provide appropriate medical and rehabilitation assistance to victims, and enable people to return home with dignity, peace and security;
2. Integrate humanitarian mine clearance operations into the region’s sustainable development agenda, promote regional and cross-border cooperation and resource mobilization, including exploring various financial instruments for mine clearance operations and promoting efficient use of resources;
3. Optimize existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus Humanitarian Mine Action Expert Group, carry out more practical cooperation in personnel training, standard setting, joint exercises, etc., and enhance the mine clearance capabilities of ASEAN countries;
4. Support the work of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center, including promoting mine clearance technical cooperation to further reduce the risk of casualties, promote innovation, improve the effectiveness of mine clearance operations, hold regional high-level meetings and technical working group meetings, encourage all stakeholders to actively participate, and promote experience exchange and results sharing;
5. Strengthen cooperation with UN Mine Action Service, UNDP and other UN agencies, actively explore South-South cooperation and trilateral cooperation, and call on all parties to increase support for ASEAN countries affected by mines and other explosive remnants of war through channels including the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center;
6. Strengthen communication and coordination between China and ASEAN countries at the United Nations, promote mine clearance cooperation, and contribute to maintaining peace, security, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world.
中国一东盟外长关于加强人道主义扫雷合作的联合声明中文原文：