ASEAN, China vow to advance comprehensive strategic partnership. (Photo: asean.org)China also reaffirmed its support for ASEAN Communitybuilding and for ASEAN Centrality in regional ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The meeting exchanged views on developments in ASEANand China and discussed the continued progress of cooperation over the pastyear. Notable progress has been made in various areas of the ASEAN-China Planof Action 2021-2025 and its annex to advance the ASEAN-China ComprehensiveStrategic Partnership (CSP) particularly in political dialogue and cooperation,non-traditional security, trade and investment, food and agriculture, ICT,cyber security, digital economy, tourism, education, public health, culture andinformation, media, environment, and sustainable development.
The meeting also discussed this year’s cooperationtheme, ASEAN-China Year of Agricultural Development and Food Security, notingChina’s proposal for projects and activities to be conducted throughout theyear. Both sides looked forward to robust cooperation in agriculture and foodsecurity to contribute to building a more sustainable and resilient region.
The meeting discussed ways to promote cooperationunder the CSP. Several areas were highlighted as priority to make thepartnership more substantive, meaningful, and mutually beneficial, such asfurther enhancing the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, effective implementation ofthe Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, connectivity,digital economy, e-commerce, sustainable development, and environmentprotection.
With the easing of pandemic-related policies andmeasures in ASEAN Member States and China, both sides agreed to restore andincrease two-way tourist arrivals, as well as youth and student exchanges.ASEAN and China are preparing for the signing of a technical cooperationagreement to strengthen collaboration in this area in support of ASEANCommunity building./.
VNA
