China, Asean eye broader cooperation

The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (Asean) agreed on Sunday that continued economic growth in China would benefit Asean members and the bloc anticipates a higher level of strategic partnership with China.

In a joint communique issued here on Sunday, the Asean foreign ministers commended China’s growing role in the region and expressed expectations for more high-level dialogue and higher level of economic integration.

They welcomed the entry into force of the Protocol to Amend the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Certain Agreements between Asean and China (ACFTA Upgrade Protocol) and looked forward to early ratification of the protocol by the remaining parties.

“This will help support the twin goals to reach a two-way trade and investment of US$1 trillion and US$150 billion respectively by 2020,” said the communique.

The year 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Asean strategic partnership and the ministers expect to designate 2018 as the Asean-China Year of Innovation Cooperation, and formulate a 2030 Vision for China-Asean Strategic Partnership as a blueprint to guide future relations.

More cooperation in infrastructure construction, tourism, air transportation, anti-corruption, environment protection and other areas between the two sides should also be conducted. These protocols coincide with the remarks of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi when he was interviewed by media.