ASEAN chief proposes measures to foster comprehensive strategic partnership with China

Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kao Kim Hourn has suggested measures to enhance ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership to create greater benefits to the people of bloc member countries and China.

In his keynote address at the ASEAN-China Future Relations Forum, which was held recently at the ASEAN Secretariat in Indonesia’s capital city, he highlighted the significance of strengthening economic ties, saying economic cooperation remains the foundation of ASEAN-China relations.

The ASEAN leader emphasised the need to address non-tariff barriers, improve supply chain resilience and promote digitalisation to further facilitate trade and investment flows between the two sides.

He said that it is necessary for ASEAN and China to enhance connectivity as it is an important driving force of regional integration and development.

The Secretary-General also underscored the importance of promoting sustainable development. By working together, initiatives such as the ASEAN-China green economy cooperation can play an important role in achieving sustainable development goals, he said.

Kao emphasised the significance of ensuring peace and stability in the region. He held that the South China Sea (called Bien Dong [East Sea] in Vietnam) is a critical issue where all parties need to work closely together and actively engage in constructive dialogue and comply with international law.

He suggested that ASEAN and China should promote people-to-people exchanges, stressing that cultural exchange, educational and tourism cooperation are important to promoting mutual understanding, building trust and strengthening friendship.

It is important for two sides to cooperate to solve global challenges, said the ASEAN leader, elaborating that ASEAN and China can contribute to global efforts in areas such as poverty reduction, food security and sustainable development.

The forum featured three panel sessions on topics headlined “Upholding Regionalism: Towards a Peaceful, Secure, and Stable Region”; “Science, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence: Fostering Key Drivers for Prosperity in the Digital Era”; and “Building Heart-to-Heart Bridges for a Closer ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”