Vientiane (VNA) – Leaders of ASEAN and China reviewed and determined the direction for implementing the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to enhance connectivity and self-resilience, for the mutual interests of the ASEAN Community and China at their 27th summit held on October 10 in Vientiane, Laos.
During the event, ASEAN and Chinese leaders appreciated the results of cooperation between the two sides over the past 33 years in the fields of politics-security, economy and culture-society, as well as their contributions to the building of the ASEAN Community and the protection and promotion of peace, stability and cooperation. The summit also emphasised the importance of bilateral economic cooperation.
On this occasion, ASEAN and China jointly announced the conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade negotiations, marking a milestone in their economic relationship.
In addition, the leaders adopted five key outcome documents namely ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Combating Telecommunication Network Fraud and Online Gambling; ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation in People-to-People Exchanges; ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Promoting the Development of Smart Agriculture; ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Facilitating Cooperation in Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Ecosystem; and Joint Statement on the Substantial Conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations. China is one of ASEAN's important partners. ASEAN-China relations were established in 1991, upgraded to the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in 2003 and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021./.
