ASEAN, China reaffirm commitment to enhance strategic partnership

By：ASEAN Secretariat News Update：2021-05-19

JAKARTA, 18 May 2021 – As ASEAN and China celebrate the 30th anniversary of relations this year, they reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing their strategic partnership at the 27th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation held online today.

The Senior Officials discussed the follow-up to the outcomes of the 23rd ASEAN-China Summit last year. They also agreed to work closely on implementing decisions and initiatives made by the Leaders, including; strengthening trade and investment relations through the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area Upgrade Protocol; enhancing regional connectivity and expediting the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.

The meeting highlighted ASEAN-China collaborative efforts in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and China’s support for ASEAN and ASEAN Member States (AMS) in mitigating its impacts. China extended support to ASEAN’s initiatives such as contribution to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

The meeting also underlined the need to further enhance cooperation for the regional recovery including through the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework. Both sides agreed to work closely in implementing activities to mark the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation, and enhancing cooperation in other areas such as; digital economy, climate change impact mitigation, connectivity, smart cities network, promoting clean energy, poverty eradication and disaster management.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations, a series of activities will be held this year both in AMS and China. These include the plan to convene a commemorative summit and the issuance of a joint statement by the Leaders to advance relations.

The Senior Officials also exchanged views on regional security issues. They looked forward to the resumption of the negotiations of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Senior Official of the Philippines Elizabeth P. Buensuceso and Assistant Foreign Minister of China Wu Jianghao and attended by Senior Officials from AMS and the Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political-Security Community.