ASEAN, China reaffirm commitment to strong partnership
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen their partnership and cooperation in line with the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established last year, as officials of both sides gathered at the 23rd ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting on April 5.
Participants at the virtual meeting on April 5. (Photo: asean.org)
Jakarta (VNA) – The Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China reaffirmed their commitment tofurther strengthen their partnership and cooperation in line with theASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established last year, asofficials of both sides gathered at the 23rd ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting onApril 5.
The meeting was co-chaired by PermanentRepresentative of Myanmar to ASEAN, Ambassador Aung Myo Myint, and Ambassadorof China to ASEAN, Deng Xijun, and attended by the Permanent Representatives ofASEAN member states and the Deputy Secretary-General for ASEANPolitical-Security Community.
The meeting discussed developments in ASEANand China and the continued progress of cooperation over the last year.Substantive progress has been made in various areas of the ASEAN-China Plan ofAction 2021-2025, such as trade, ICT, digital economy, education, publichealth, culture and information, media, environment and sustainabledevelopment, and narrowing the development gap.
Both sides discussed the follow-up to theimplementation of the ASEAN-China CSP. Several areas have beenhighlighted with a view to making the partnership more substantive, meaningfuland mutually beneficial, such as enhancing cooperation in trade and investmentthrough the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area and implementation of the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, digital economy,cybersecurity, connectivity including air connectivity, clean energy andenvironment protection.
The meeting welcomed the progress of theASEAN-China Sustainable Development Cooperation Year. Both sides are alsoworking on a Technical Cooperation Agreement to strengthen collaborationbetween ASEAN and China in support of ASEAN Community building and integration.
ASEAN welcomed China’s continued support inaddressing COVID-19, including its contribution in the total of 6 million USDto the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and the implementation of the Program onPublic Health Emergency Preparedness Capacity (PROMPT). Both sides agreed towork closely in facilitating the post-pandemic recovery, including through theASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework./.
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Participants at the virtual meeting on April 5. (Photo: asean.org) 
