H.E. Mr. HUANG Xilian

Ambassador of People's Repubulic of China to ASEAN

China and ASEAN:

Together for a Shared Future in the New Era

A New Era for China-ASEAN relations

Three aspects of this topic:

1. How to understand China’s ASEAN policy in the new era

2. Why is ASEAN so important to China

3. How to take China-ASEAN relations forward in the new era

1. How to understand China’s

ASEAN policy in the new era?

China's annual Two Sessions being held in Beijing

“China-ASEAN cooperation has become one of

the most successful and dynamic model in the

Asia Pacific region. In 2018, we will continue to

give the highest priority to cooperation with

ASEAN.”

Foreign Minister Wang Yi

commented on China-ASEAN

Relations at the Press Conference

China’s basic policy towards ASEAN

in the new era

• One priority: China takes ASEAN as a priority partner in its neighborhood diplomacy.

• Two further: China will further promote a higher level of strategic partnership and further forge a closer community of a shared future with ASEAN.

• Three supports: China supports ASEAN community building, supports ASEAN’s Centrality in regional cooperation, and supports ASEAN’s bigger role in international and regional affairs.

It's strongly supported by Chinese

diplomatic theories and principles

• Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

• Forging a new type of international relations featuring

mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation

• Building a community of shared future for all humankind

• Following the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit

and inclusiveness as well as the policy of forging

friendship and partnership with the neighbors

It's also grounded in rich diplomatic practices and

embodied in many tangible diplomatic actions

• First non-ASEAN country to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia

• First to establish strategic partnership with ASEAN

• First to initiate free trade negotiations with ASEAN

• Maintain financial stability in Asian financial crisis in 1998

• Support ASEAN in international financial crisis in 2008

2. Why is ASEAN so important to China?

• Linked by rivers and mountains, with similar cultural memories and customs

• Most of China’s trade, including about 82% of oil imports passing through the region

• Official and people-to-people exchanges dated centuries back

• Home to the largest overseas Chinese community

Geography & Culture

Politics & Security

• Important platform for China to participate in regional

affairs and sub-region cooperation, e.g. Lancang-

Mekong & East ASEAN Growth Area Cooperation

• Partners to formulate regional rules, e.g. DOC & COC

• Partners to address regional non-traditional security

challenges, e.g. financial security, maritime safety,

disaster relief, environmental protection

Economy & Trade

•Partner to maintain economic globalization

China-ASEAN FTA is China's first and biggest FTA

Upgraded FTA & RCEP negotiation

•Major trading partner and investment destination

Two-way trade exceeded US$500 billion, an increase of 14%

•Huge opportunities for Chinese businesses

The seventh-largest economy, annual growth rate of 5%

Embrace the digital economy, e-commerce and e-payment

International Cooperation

• Priority area in China’s Belt and Road Initiative

• All ASEAN countries are founding members of the

China-initiated AIIB

• Major infrastructure projects kicked off, e.g. Jakarta-

Bandung High Speed Railway, China-Laos Railway

and China-Thailand Railway

• Source of inspiration for China’s reform and opening

up

• Important destination for Chinese companies and

personnel going abroad

3. What should we do to promote the

development of China-ASEAN relations

in the new era?

• 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN strategic partnership

• Higher level of strategic partnership in version 2.0

• New Asian security concept of "common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable"

• Accelerate the COC consultation process

• Open and inclusive regional security architecture

Further deepen strategic trust and

build higher level of strategic partnership

Further enhance synergy of development

strategies and push cooperation to a higher level

• China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030

• Better align the Belt and Road Initiative with the

ASEAN Community Vision 2025, particularly the

Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025

Further strengthen people-to-people links

and foster a common sense of

a community of a shared future

• ASEAN countries are main outbound tourist

destinations for the Chinese people

• 40 million visits now, 50 million visits on the way

• Enhance exchanges in education, tourism, sports,

culture, and among youth, think tanks and the media

Further promote regional integration process

towards an East Asian economic community

• Promote the implementation of the China-ASEAN FTA

agreement

• Explore the establishment of the China-ASEAN economic

community

• Speed up the RCEP negotiation process

• Early completion of East Asian Economic Community

• Lancang-Mekong River Economic Belt

• Explore new cooperation patterns within the framework of

the BIMP-EAGA

Conclusion

• Celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment

of China-ASEAN strategic partnership

• The importance of ASEAN to China will be increased

• China’s support for ASEAN will be increased

• The depth and breadth of China-ASEAN relations will

be increased

Thank you!