Jakarta, 11 May 2024 (TDI): During the 30th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation, which took place on 10 May at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN and China reiterated their dedication to strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
Senior Officials from ASEAN Member States or their representatives, as well as the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Political-Security Community ASEAN, attended the meeting co-chaired by Dr. Khin Thidar Aye, Alternate Senior Official/Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, and Sun Weidong, Senior Official/Vice Foreign Minister of China. Timor-Leste were sent as observers.
China reaffirmed its backing for the central role of ASEAN and its efforts to construct a strong community while expressing support for ASEAN’s increased engagement in regional matters.
Additionally, China emphasized that it continues prioritizing its relationship with ASEAN as a critical aspect of its regional diplomacy.
The two parties discussed the recent advancements in ASEAN and China, as well as the ongoing collaboration between ASEAN and China that took place in the previous year.
Moreover, Strategies to improve cooperation within the CSP were discussed at the meeting, focusing on trade and investment, digital infrastructure, connectivity, marine economy, sustainable energy, food safety and agriculture, tourism, and cultural interaction.
In addition, in keeping with the Joint Statement on mutually advantageous cooperation on the AOIP, ratified in 2023, ASEAN expected to step up concrete engagement in the critical areas delineated in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
Furthermore, Senior Officials discussed issues of mutual interest and concern about regional and global trends. To handle regional matters, including terrorism, human trafficking, illegal drug addiction, and cybercrime, all parties agreed that increased collaboration was necessary.
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The two parties also deliberated on this year’s collaboration theme, the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges. China and ASEAN Member States are implementing various programs and activities to foster people-to-people connections between the two regions. These initiatives will take place throughout the year.
The agenda of the meeting was to prepare for the next ASEAN-China Summit and Ministerial Meeting. The meeting members embraced China’s recommendations for accomplishments this year, especially in non-traditional security and interpersonal relationships.
Although, among other issues, the parties were looking forward to the conclusion of talks for the ASEAN-China FTA 3.0 update and the smooth implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).
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