On June 24, 2008, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei met with a visiting joint press delegation from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

He made positive comments on China-ASEAN relations. He said that recent years have witnessed deepening political trust and expanding exchanges and cooperation in all areas with fruitful results. The development of China-ASEAN ties not only benefits both peoples but also contributes to regional peace, stability and prosperity. It is an unswerving foreign policy of the Chinese government to consolidate and develop a strategic partnership with ASEAN oriented towards peace and prosperity. China is ready to make joint efforts with ASEAN to promote bilateral mutual benefits and common development at a higher level. He also introduced China's position on East Asia cooperation, saying that China will as always follow the open strategy of mutual benefits and the foreign policy of "treating its neighbors well and as partners" and strengthen good-neighborly friendship and pragmatic cooperation with neighboring countries.

He said this year marks the 30th anniversary of the reform and opening up in China and will also witness Beijing's hosting of the Olympic Games. The Beijing Olympic Games is a great event not only for the Chinese people, but also for people all over the world, he noted, adding that China is now doing its utmost in preparing the games. China warmly welcomes athletes from all countries and regions across the world including ASEAN countries to attend the Beijing Olympic Games and wishes them good results at the games.

He expressed gratitude to the governments and people of ASEAN countries for their sincere sympathy and disinterested aid following the Wenchuan earthquake. He hoped that the journalists will continue to play their linking role in building understanding and friendship between China and ASEAN and in pushing forward China-ASEAN strategic partnership oriented to peace and prosperity.

The delegation members thanked for the warm hospitality extended to them by the Chinese side, holding that it is conducive to regional peace, stability and development for China and ASEAN countries to build the traditional friendship and deepen pragmatic cooperation. The journalists appreciated China's efforts in preparing the Beijing Olympic Games and wished the games a success.

He also took questions from the journalists on bilateral relations between China and ASEAN countries, Taiwan and Tibet-related issues.