China Proposes New Cooperation Initiatives With ASEAN

JAKARTA, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- China has unveiled new proposals to boost cooperation with ASEAN in key areas such as maritime cooperation, artificial intelligence, transportation, the blue economy, women and children’s health, and the environment.  They aim to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

The proposals were presented at the 31st ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation, co-chaired by Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin and China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, in Ningbo City, China on Thursday.

“Under the theme of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, various projects and activities are planned and will be implemented in ASEAN member states and China to foster greater cultural and people-to-people connectivity,” according to the ASEAN Secretariat.

The secretariat noted ASEAN and China are further strengthening cooperation under the CSP, focusing on key sectors such as trade and investment, green economy, connectivity, digital ecosystems, blue economy, clean energy, agriculture and food security, culture, and tourism.

During the meeting, China reaffirmed its support for ASEAN's community-building efforts and its central role in regional affairs, emphasising the priority the country places on its relationship with ASEAN as part of its neighborhood diplomacy.

Officials reviewed progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-China Plan of Action 2021-2025, noting significant achievements in the final year of its execution.

The consultation also outlined deliverables for ASEAN-China cooperation in 2025, including the signing of an upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA 3.0), the adoption of a new Plan of Action for 2026-2030, and the establishment of the ASEAN-China Tourism Ministers’ Meeting.

The senior officials exchanged views on pressing regional and international security concerns, including terrorism, human trafficking, illicit drug abuse, and cybercrime, underscoring the need for enhanced cooperation in these areas.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from ASEAN member states or their representatives, along with ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Political-Security Community Datuk Astanah Abdul Aziz, while Timor-Leste participated as an observer.

-- BERNAMA