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ASEAN, China look toward deeper cooperation

ASEAN-China trade surpassed 1 trillion USD in 2025, and the two sides are striving to bring the figure to 2 trillion USD by 2030.

Jakarta (VNA) – A forum marking the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership opened at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on June 22, bringing together ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Wang Qing, Malaysian Ambassador to ASEAN Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, as well as officials, scholars and business representatives.

​The event takes place as ASEAN and China commemorate the 35th anniversary of their Dialogue Relations and the fifth anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Discussions focused on building a stronger, more effective, open and inclusive partnership for the benefit of the region and the wider world.

​Ambassador Wang said ASEAN-China trade surpassed 1 trillion USD in 2025, while major connectivity projects such as the China-Laos railway and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway have delivered tangible benefits. He reaffirmed China's support for ASEAN centrality and called for the early completion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (FTA) 3.0 upgrade.

​Secretary-General Kao outlined five priority areas for future cooperation: maintaining peace and stability; advancing digital transformation and innovation; strengthening energy cooperation; enhancing resilience against transnational challenges; and promoting people-to-people exchanges. He noted that the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) is expected to expand the region’s digital economy to 2 trillion USD by 2030, creating significant opportunities for cooperation with China in artificial intelligence and e-commerce.

​Representing Malaysia, coordinator for ASEAN-China relations, Ambassador Sarah stressed the importance of dialogue, openness, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. She highlighted the need to strengthen resilience against geopolitical shocks while ensuring energy and food security and maintaining stable supply chains.

​Participants also exchanged views on strengthening multilateralism, promoting green growth and innovation, and deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges. They agreed that the forum provided an opportunity not only to reflect on 35 years of cooperation but also to reinforce strategic trust and expand collaboration in support of regional peace, stability and sustainable development./.

VNA
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