On July 31, 2007, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks respectively with his counterparts from the Philippines, Singapore and Australia during their attendance of the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, capital of the Philippines.

During his meeting with Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Yang spoke highly of bilateral ties between China and the Philippines. In his view, the relationship between China and the Philippines is showing a pleasing momentum of growth, with new achievements being made with the cooperation in wide-ranging areas. Positive progress was made with the cooperation among China, the Philippines, and Vietnam concerning South China Sea. Yang said that the three parties should enhance coordination and collaboration, propel the cooperation concerning South China Sea to a new phase, and promote the peace, stability and development in the region of South China Sea. Romulo expressed full agreements with it and noted that the Philippines will be committed to developing Philippines-China relationship and advancing the cooperation among the three parties.

Yang thanked the Philippine side for their considerate arrangements for the Ministerial Meeting of the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the 10+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (ASEAN + China, the Republic of Korea and Japan) and other related meetings. Yang said that the East Asia region is famous for its diversity. The varied cooperation mechanisms should complement and promote each other and their respective advantages should be brought into full play. The regional cooperation should follow the principle of mutual respect, equality and seeking common ground while putting aside differences. The Chinese side would like to work together with the ASEAN countries to deepen the East Asia cooperation and promote the common, harmonized and sustained development of East Asia. Romulo stated that ASEAN attaches great importance to the active role played by China in the East Asia cooperation, keeps on promoting the cooperation of the East Asia region by deepening the cooperation with China, Japan and the Republic of Korean, and wishes to promote the further development of 10+3 cooperation.

In his meeting with George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Yang said that the exchange and cooperation between China and Singapore in various areas feature pragmatism and effectiveness. The frequent high-level exchanges have played an active role in promoting the growth of bilateral ties. Yang said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the East Asia Cooperation and the 40th anniversary of ASEAN, presenting important opportunities for the East Asia cooperation. Yang expressed the hope that the Leaders' Meeting to be held at the end of the year could adopt the second Joint Statement on the East Asia Cooperation, offering guidance and directions for the East Asia cooperation.

George Yeo noted that Singapore-China relationship is getting increasingly close and the cooperation in various areas is being expanded. Singapore always adheres to building up the mutually beneficial cooperative relationship with China from a long-term and strategic perspective. The Singaporean side believed that ASEAN should consolidate and deepen the multi-faceted cooperation with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and promote the common development of the East Asia region. Singapore will soon serve as the Rotating Chair of ASEAN and would like to strengthen communication and coordination with the Chinese side concerning the cooperation in the East Asia region.

In his meeting with Alexander Downer, Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yang said that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties between China and Australia. The relationship between China and Australia keep growing at a sound momentum. Prominent achievements have been made with the cooperation in a wide range of areas including economy, trade, energy, resource, environmental protection and sustainable development and consultations and communications in major international and regional issues have been further strengthened. The Chinese side highly values the relationship with Australia and would like to promote the further growth of mutually beneficial and all-round cooperative relationship. Downer said that China plays an important role in international and regional affairs. Deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides conforms to the common interest of both countries. Australia would like to further the growth of such good relations.

With regard to the Taiwan question, Yang stressed that the Chen Shui-bian authority is speeding up the attempt to hold a referendum on the island's UN membership under the name "Taiwan". This is an important step for the de jure independence of Taiwan. Its essence is to change the status of Taiwan being one proportion of the Chinese territory and split Taiwan from China. If such situation continues, it will severely damage the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, seriously impinge cross-straits ties, and badly jeopardize the peace and stability of the cross-straits and Asia-Pacific regions. The foreign ministers of the three countries all expressed that the one-China principle is a principle universally acknowledged by the international community and the three countries will continue to uphold the one-China Policy.