On August 1, 2007, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with a number of delegation heads on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Serial Meetings including ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

When meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte, Yang said currently the development momentum of Sino-U.S. ties is generally good with close exchanges at all levels including high-level visits, deepening bilateral cooperation and fruitful consultations and coordination on major international and regional affairs. China is ready to work with the U.S. to implement the important agreements reached by the two heads of state, strive to expand common interests and properly handle differences and sensitive issues, so as to ensure a sound and stable development of Sino-U.S. relations.

Negroponte said the two countries have maintained sound exchanges and dialogue at various levels with in-depth development of bilateral ties. The two countries have kept good communication and cooperation on key international hotspot issues, which is conducive to jointly safeguarding world peace and stability, he added.

On the safety of Chinese exports to the U.S., Yang emphasized that the Chinese government attaches great importance and takes a highly responsible approach to product quality and food safety. 99 or more than 99 percent of Chinese exports to the U.S. are up to the quality standard and most of Chinese exports are absolutely well guaranteed in terms of safety, Yang said. China is ready to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the U.S. and issues concerned must not be politicized, he noted, adding that China opposes biased media reports, trade protectionism and discrimination.

When meeting with Secretary-General of the Council of the EU and High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, Yang said currently the development of China-EU ties enjoys a sound momentum with in-depth political dialogue at all levels, deepening cooperation in various areas and smooth progress made in negotiations on China-EU Partnership Cooperation Agreement. The 10th China-EU leaders' meeting to be held in Beijing in the second half of this year will be of great significance to opening up the future. The Chinese foreign minister expressed hope that both sides will raise proposals on the future development of China-EU ties from a strategic perspective and push forward concrete cooperation between both sides in climate change, energy and other areas of common concern, in a bid to ensure practical achievements of the meeting and push China-EU ties to a higher level.

Solana said the EU attaches great importance to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with China and hopes, through intensive high-level exchanges between both sides in the second half of this year, especially the EU-China leaders' meeting, to exchange in-depth views with China on key strategic issues of common concern, strengthen mutual coordination and cooperation and advance EU-China ties.

When meeting with Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Adviser for Foreign Affairs to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh, Yang said the launch of a comprehensive cooperative partnership in 2005 marked a new phase for bilateral relations. China respects Bangladesh's sovereign independence and territorial integrity and supports all efforts of the Bangladeshi government to develop economy and improve people's livelihood. Yang thanked for Bangladesh's firm support on issues concerning China's core interests and spoke highly of the country's adherence to the one-China policy. China is ready to work with Bangladesh to push for comprehensive cooperative partnership between both sides.

Iftekhar said the two countries share a traditional friendship and his county cherishes close ties with China and appreciates the Chinese government's support and assistance for economic and social development in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is ready to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with China in such areas as economy, trade and infrastructure to push for bilateral ties.

When meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Yang said with the joint efforts of both sides, bilateral relations have generally maintained a sound momentum with all levels of exchanges and cooperation in various areas advancing steadily. The events of Japan-China Culture and Sports Exchange Year have won positive response from the two peoples. Both sides have also made smooth progress in cooperation on energy, environmental protection, public health and forestation, Yang said. Bilateral ties are facing important opportunities for development, as the two countries will jointly celebrate the 35th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations in September and the first China-Japan high-level economic dialogue will also be held in China.

With regard to the issue of East China Sea, Yang pledged that China is ready to continue advancing the consultation process with Japan in a pragmatic manner and earnestly carry out the agreements reached by the leaders of both countries. China is also willing to strive to narrow differences through consultations and find a joint exploration plan acceptable to both sides. Yang expressed China's willingness to further strengthen cooperation with Japan in coping with climate change and conduct practical technological cooperation on saving energy and improving efficiency, to contribute to addressing the issue of climate change.

On the safety of Chinese exports, Yang pointed out that China has always attached great importance to the quality and safety of its exports, food in particular, to other countries including Japan. 99 or more than 99 percent of Chinese food exports in the past three years have met the quality standard. He pledged China is ready to closely cooperate with Japan, under the current cooperation mechanism, in joint efforts to ensure the safety of bilateral exports and imports, especially the safety of food.

Taro Aso said bilateral relations have maintained a sound momentum for development with frequent high-level visits and dynamic exchanges in all areas. A series of exchange events including the Japan-China high-level economic dialogue to be held in the second half of this year and the Culture and Sports Exchange Year will help push bilateral relations to a new high and will be conducive to building reciprocal ties between the two countries. The Japanese foreign minister also extended sincere condolences over the severe flood disaster in the southern part of China.

When meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Yang said as China and India are important neighbors and large developing countries, to develop their friendly cooperation benefits the 2.4 billion people of the two countries and will also have a significant and far-reaching impact on the region and the world at large. China gives top priority to its coordination and cooperation with India in international and regional affairs and supports India's bigger role in international affairs. China is ready to enrich strategic cooperative partnership with India, advance pragmatic cooperation in all areas and properly handle the border issue and other issues left over from history, so as to push bilateral ties to a new level.

Mukherjee said India-China ties have made rapid progress in recent years with growing trade cooperation and close communication in international affairs. China and India, as two great countries, share the same views on many international and regional issues and have a lot of common interests. He urged both sides to strengthen cooperation, expand cooperation areas and share experience on development to seek common progress.

On the Taiwan question, Yang pointed out that the issue involves China's core interest and China will never allow any form of "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities or any effort to split Taiwan from China. All other foreign ministers pledged their clear and consistent position on the Taiwan question, reaffirming that they will continue to stick to the one-China policy.