On July 22, 2009, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Informal Consultations in Phuket, Thailand and elaborated the proposition of the Chinese government on coping with the international financial crisis, the situation in Northeast Asia and the EAS cooperation.

In respect of the international financial crisis, Yang noted that East Asian countries should keep communications and coordination on their macroeconomic policies, continue to open markets, oppose trade protectionism, resolutely push forward regional cooperation and integration, change their development modes, cultivate new economic growth points and try to take the lead in recovering from the crisis.

Talking about the situation in Northeast Asia, he said that the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia remain complicated and sensitive with unstable and uncertain factors ever increasing. It is the common aspiration of all parties concerned to break the deadlock, ease the situation and promote stability. The Chinese side hopes all the relevant parties exercise restraint, remain calm and do not take any action which will complicate the situation and damage peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Concerted efforts should be made to create conditions for the early resumption of the six-party talks and to bring the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula back on the track of settlement through dialogue and consultations.

With regard to the EAS cooperation, he pointed out that the EAS should continue to play its role of strategic forum, discuss the major practical issues at the macro level, explore how to strengthen regional cooperation and come out with relevant thoughts and policy guide. The Chinese government supports the EAS cooperation in such fields as education, poverty alleviation and disaster relief and efforts of complementing other mechanisms with advantages. The EAS should start from economic and technological cooperation to gradually push forward the comprehensive trade and economic partnership. China agrees that the EAS should reinforce the financial capacity building to prevent, tackle and manage financial risks more effectively.