ASEAN and China have affirmed their commitment to forge closer cooperation during the 16th Meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC), a key mechanism to review ASEAN-China cooperation and discuss its future direction, held in Jakarta on April 10.
The meeting acknowledged the strong forward momentum in ASEAN-China relations. The two sides welcomed the significant progress in implementing activities and projects under the present ASEAN-China Plan of Action (POA) for 2011-2015.
As the POA concludes at the end of 2015, both sides recognised the need to step up the pace of implementation for the remaining measures in the plan.
The ASEAN and China are now working on a successive POA to drive cooperation over the next five years, from 2016 to 2020.
Both sides agreed that the new plan needs to be forward-thinking and inclusive, addressing the needs and expectations of the ASEAN and China in the new era. The activities and projects for the next phase should reflect the desire and commitment of both sides to strengthen their strategic partnership and contribute to the ASEAN's Post-2015 Vision.
Participants at the meeting noted the follow-through of decisions made at the 15th ASEAN-China Summit last November, such as upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and cooperation in public health, science and technology. They agreed to work closely to realise the remaining determinations within the coming year.
Development cooperation is a key area of ASEAN-China collaboration; China's role in contributing to ASEAN development by sponsoring relevant activities and projects through the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund was acknowledged by ASEAN member states.
To further enhance the effectiveness and timeliness of activities and projects, both sides agreed to explore ways to improve the implementation process.
ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA
The meeting acknowledged the strong forward momentum in ASEAN-China relations. The two sides welcomed the significant progress in implementing activities and projects under the present ASEAN-China Plan of Action (POA) for 2011-2015.
As the POA concludes at the end of 2015, both sides recognised the need to step up the pace of implementation for the remaining measures in the plan.
The ASEAN and China are now working on a successive POA to drive cooperation over the next five years, from 2016 to 2020.
Both sides agreed that the new plan needs to be forward-thinking and inclusive, addressing the needs and expectations of the ASEAN and China in the new era. The activities and projects for the next phase should reflect the desire and commitment of both sides to strengthen their strategic partnership and contribute to the ASEAN's Post-2015 Vision.
Participants at the meeting noted the follow-through of decisions made at the 15th ASEAN-China Summit last November, such as upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and cooperation in public health, science and technology. They agreed to work closely to realise the remaining determinations within the coming year.
Development cooperation is a key area of ASEAN-China collaboration; China's role in contributing to ASEAN development by sponsoring relevant activities and projects through the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund was acknowledged by ASEAN member states.
To further enhance the effectiveness and timeliness of activities and projects, both sides agreed to explore ways to improve the implementation process.
ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA
