Change,
unchanged in China-ASEAN ties
Yang Xiuping ; Ambassador of China to ASEAN
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JAKARTA
POST, 15 Desember 2014
Now the
global political and economic landscape is undergoing a new round of major
adjustments and transformation, in which Asia-Pacific is the home ground and
plays a leading role. To further advance China-ASEAN cooperation in this
context, we need to be both firm in adhering to the fundamental principles
that hold us together, and also bold enough in pursuing innovation and
prosperity with vision and action.
The goal
of peaceful development remains unchanged. China and ASEAN both suffered from
the colonial regimes and the Cold War and benefitted from peace and development.
Regional safety and economic development has been the persistent quest of
ASEAN since its establishment. Peaceful development is even more of a
national strategy and persistent practice for China.
In the
recently held Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs of
China, President Xi Jinping pointed out that Chinese diplomacy would continue
to serve the pursuit of peaceful development and national rejuvenation. The
common historical experience and practical interests promise China and ASEAN
a high degree of consensus in this regard.
The idea
of cooperation and development remains unchanged. China is working toward a
new type of international relation with win-win cooperation as its core, a
neighborhood community of common destiny based on the principle of amity,
sincerity, sharing in prosperity and inclusiveness. Chinese philosophy highly
accords with the ASEAN way.
Sixty
years ago, China and the ASEAN countries jointly put forward the Five
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the spirit of the Bandung Conference.
Today, we work together in promoting the Asian security concept and the
principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The
strategic priorities remain unchanged. China and ASEAN are linked by rivers
and mountains and respectively serve as the largest and third largest trading
partners to each other. A genuine community of common destiny has been forged
with the close interconnection between China and ASEAN in terms of security,
economy and people’s interaction. China attaches priority to ASEAN in China’s
neighborhood diplomacy, firmly supports ASEAN community building and the
centrality of ASEAN in East Asian cooperation.
Our
strategic partnership will demonstrate increasing strategic significance and priority
in pace with building a China-ASEAN community of common destiny and a 21st
century maritime Silk Road and implementing the “2+7 cooperation framework”.
In light
of the changing trend and to pursue better development, we should dedicate
our efforts in the following aspects.
First,
we should continue enhancing mutual trust. Mutual trust is an eternal subject
in China-ASEAN relations that calls for infinite endeavors. The level of
cooperation depends on the depth of mutual trust. The key to enhancing mutual
trust between China and ASEAN is to ensure adequate awareness and confidence
in each other’s development path and strategy direction.
The
initiatives by China to build the 21st century maritime Silk Road and
establish the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, among others, are designed
under the mindset of mutual benefit and win-win, and target ASEAN as a major
stakeholder and beneficiary.
China
supports and advocates the “dual-track approach” to deal with the South China
Sea issue, i.e. relevant disputes being addressed by countries directly
concerned through consultations and negotiations in a peaceful way, and peace
and stability in the South China Sea being jointly maintained by China and
ASEAN countries.
China
and ASEAN countries remain committed to fully and effectively implement the
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and have agreed
to work toward the early conclusion of a code of conduct in the South China
Sea on the basis of consensus. We have achieved “early harvest” in the COC
consultation. It includes the first document on commonalities, joint maritime
search and a rescue hotline and senior officials’ hotline for maritime
emergencies.
China
also proposes next year be designated as the “Year of China-ASEAN Maritime
Cooperation” with the view to benefit the coastal people of the South China
Sea through functional cooperation.
Second,
we should keep the orientation of our strategic cooperation. The China-ASEAN
strategic partnership has made great achievements in its first 10 years
because we found the right direction, seized the initiative and made
breakthroughs in certain strategic cooperation areas. In the second 10 years,
we still need to hold on to the trend and main threads.
The
first is economic transition and industrial upgrade. We should seize the
opportunity for adjustment in the post-financial crisis era to develop a new
economy and innovative industry and expand our common market and regional
industry chain. The second is cooperation on connectivity. The establishment
of AIIB, the US$40 billion Silk Road Fund, the $10 billion China-ASEAN
special loan for infrastructure and other initiatives by China will elevate
connectivity development, especially major infrastructure project
construction, to a new climax.
The
third is trade and investment. We should optimize trade and investment
structure and promote its quality and volume through upgrading the
China-ASEAN FTA. The fourth is multilateral cooperation on security. China
proposed holding the unofficial China-ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting in
China next year, and will continue to deepen disaster management cooperation
with ASEAN.
Third,
we need to better tailor our cooperation for mutual development needs. China
is working in synergy with the development of ASEAN. Next year, the ASEAN
Economic Community will become reality and negotiations on upgrading the
China-ASEAN FTA will have a good chance to conclude. ASEAN will lay down the
post-2015 vision for ASEAN community. China will also start working with
ASEAN to formulate a new plan of action for cooperation.
On top
of our commitment last year, China will provide ASEAN with $10 billion
concessional loans to boost functional cooperation with ASEAN in various
areas, RMB 3 billion ($485 million) of free assistance to support
less-developed ASEAN countries narrow the development gap, RMB 50 million
free assistance to support ASEAN community building, and will set aside RMB
30 million in support of economic and technical cooperation under the
China-ASEAN FTA framework in the coming three years.
After
the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community, China and ASEAN will become
the second and seventh largest economies of the world, as well as the top two
developing economies. Our side-by-side development and cooperation will be of
far-reaching significance, regionally and even globally.
Last but
not least, we should maintain the order for regional cooperation. ASEAN is
conferred legal personality by the ASEAN Charter, and is working toward a
rules-based community. China domestically upholds the rule of law, is also
both a faithful follower and active contributor to international law and
regional rules and norms. China and ASEAN share common interests in advancing
the democratization of international relations and the establishment of a
more just and rational new international order.
China is ready to discuss with ASEAN countries the signing of a treaty
on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation to consolidate the legal
and institutional framework for the long-term development of our relations.
Given the profound changes in regional cooperation, China and ASEAN should
bear in mind the common interests of East Asia and work together to ensure
its healthy and stable development. ●
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