On July 23, 2009, Phuket, southern Thailand, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that some Asian economies have seen signs of recovery and Asia was expected to become one of the earliest regions to get out of the global financial and economic crisis.

Yang Jiechi, before attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers' Meeting on July 23, told reporters that the participants of the ASEAN meetings agreed that the parties must continue to implement the economic stimulus packages and strive to get out of the crisis. He also expressed confidence in the warming-up of Asian economy and believed that some Asian economies have seen signs of recovery.

Yang Jiechi said that China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.1% in the first quarter of 2009 on a year-on-year basis and 7.9% in the second quarter on a year-on-year basis. "I believe that with the unremitting efforts of the Chinese people, the successful implementation of economic stimulus packages, and the mutual support of China and the international community, China will be able to achieve the target of 8% economic growth. China, as a part of Asia, will do our utmost to help the neighboring countries."

Yang said that the participants discussed the upcoming G20 Summit in Pittsburgh and agreed that efforts should be made to push forward the Doha Round negotiations. In addition, the participants unanimously agreed to abide by the "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" and the "Kyoto Protocol" and make efforts to push the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which will be held at the end of the year, to reach an agreement. He also stressed that in this course developed and developing countries should follow the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities".

From July 22 to 23, China-ASEAN (10 +1) Foreign Ministers Meeting, ASEAN and China, Japan and Korea (10 +3) Foreign Ministers Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers Informal Consultations, and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting were held in Phuket. Yang Jiechi arrived in Phuket on July 21 for the abovementioned meetings.