World

China proposes new initiatives of cooperation with ASEAN

The Chinese side reaffirmed its support for ASEAN's community-building efforts and the bloc’s central role in regional affairs, emphasising the priority China places on its relationship with ASEAN as part of its neighbourhood diplomacy.

Participants pose for a group photo at the 31st ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation in China's Ningbo city on February 13, 2025. (Photo: https://asean.org/)
Participants pose for a group photo at the 31st ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation in China's Ningbo city on February 13, 2025. (Photo: https://asean.org/)

Hanoi (VNA) - China has unveiled new proposals to boost cooperation with ASEAN in key areas such as maritime cooperation, artificial intelligence, transportation, blue economy, women’s and children’s health, and the environment, towards strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides.

The proposals were presented at the 31st ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation, co-chaired by Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Amran Mohamed Zin and China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, in China's Ningbo city on February 13.

During the meeting, the Chinese side reaffirmed its support for ASEAN's community-building efforts and the bloc’s central role in regional affairs, emphasising the priority China places on its relationship with ASEAN as part of its neighbourhood diplomacy.

Officials reviewed progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-China Plan of Action 2021-2025, noting significant achievements in the final year of its execution.

The consultation also outlined deliverables for ASEAN-China cooperation in 2025, including the signing of an upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA 3.0), the adoption of a new Plan of Action for 2026-2030, and the establishment of the ASEAN-China Tourism Ministers’ Meeting.

Senior officials exchanged views on pressing regional and international security concerns, including terrorism, human trafficking, illicit drug abuse, and cybercrime, underscoring the need for stronger cooperation in these areas.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from ASEAN member states, along with ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Political-Security Community Astanah Abdul Aziz, while Timor-Leste participated as an observer.

According to the ASEAN Secretariat, various projects and activities are planned and will be implemented in ASEAN member states and China to foster greater cultural and people-to-people connectivity./.

VNA
#China #ASEAN #comprehensive strategic partnership #ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation #ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement China ASEAN
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Initiative to boost China, ASEAN city-level relations (Photo: en.gxzf.gov.cn)

Initiative to boost China, ASEAN city-level relations

Mayors of 12 cities, together with representatives and experts, from China and ASEAN countries gathered in Nanning city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, for the Global Mayors Dialogue from January 15-18.

See more

A motorist refuels at a station in Phnom Penh following a Ministry of Commerce warning against domestic fuel stockpiling. (Photo: Khmer Times)

Cambodia strengthens control over retail fuel sales

Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce has called on the public and fuel station operators across the country to avoid hoarding fuel and to strictly follow technical safety standards in the sale and storage of petroleum products to prevent safety risks and ensure a stable supply.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Laos identifies 10 key tasks to build independent, self-reliant economy

Laos will step up agricultural production to ensure food security, meet domestic demand and expand exports; encourage the development of agro-processing industries, including those related to rubber, aquatic products, cassava and sugarcane, as well as fertiliser and animal feed production, in order to increase added value and create jobs in rural areas.

Illustrative image (Photo: Nikkei)

ASEAN faces startup funding drought risks

ASEAN's startups raised 1.16 billion USD in October-December 2025, slightly down from the same quarter a year earlier. For the full year, funding increased 18% to 5.4 billion USD, but that was still about a fourth of the level seen in the peak year of 2021.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq speaks to the press in Badung, Bali, on March 5. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia steps up waste sorting at source

Waste sorting at source, combined with modern treatment technologies and stronger community participation, will play a decisive role in reducing pollution and building a sustainable waste management system in Indonesia in the coming years.

Lao girls in a festival. (Photo: asiakingtravel.com)

Laos marks International Women’s Day

The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Lao Government have established policies and legal frameworks to promote women’s development, safeguard women’s rights and interests, and advance gender equality.

Two children play with a gadget in Jakarta. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia sets age limits on digital platforms to protect children

Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid said Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on Electronic System Governance for Child Protection, known as PP Tunas, will delay access to high‑risk platforms until age 16, while lower‑risk services will be available from age 13.

Indonesia looks to expand engineering workforce amid AI push

Indonesia looks to expand engineering workforce amid AI push

President of the Institution of Engineers, Indonesia (PII) Ilham Akbar Habibie said the number of engineers per one million people in Indonesia remains low. The country currently has about 2,500 engineers per one million people, compared with around 9,500 in Vietnam – nearly four times higher. He described Vietnam as a typical example of how a nation can rely on engineering to strengthen its economy and drive robust economic growth.

Singapore invests to strengthen food self-reliance

Singapore invests to strengthen food self-reliance

Singapore plans to pump 70 million SGD (55 million USD) over the next five years to help local farms expand production capacity and build capabilities, as the country steps up efforts to strengthen food resilience amid growing global uncertainties.

Thailand announces referendum results on constitutional amendment (Photo: eastasiaforum.org)

Thailand announces results of constitutional amendment referendum

Official results released by the EC and signed by EC Chairman Narong Klanwarin show that a majority of Thai voters (58.64%) supported the amendment of the current Constitution. Meanwhile, 30.46% voted against, 8.34% cast blank ballots, and 2.56% of the votes were invalid.

Illustrative photo: Internet

Guangxi strengthens ASEAN – China trade connectivity

China has remained ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, while ASEAN has held the position as China’s top trading partner for the past six years. Guangxi, the only Chinese region linked to ASEAN by both land and sea, plays a strategic role in connecting the two markets.

Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari Abdul Ghani (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia boosts exports to CPTPP member countries

Through the CPTPP, exporters can access non-traditional markets such as Canada, Mexico and Peru and, for the first time, gain preferential access to the UK market, which had previously been subject to regular tariffs, said a Malaysian official.

Young Lao ethnic women splash water to pray for good fortune during the traditional water-splashing New Year festival. (Photo: VNA)

Laos accelerates UNESCO nominations for cultural heritage

The Lao government will seek inscription of several traditions on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, including Larb, the Sou Khuan ceremony, Pu Yer – Ya Yer, Lao New Year (Bun Pi Mai Lao), and Khao Tom–Khao Lam. It will also pursue World Heritage status for Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, the Plain of Jars in Houaphanh Province, and That Ing Hang.

Vietnam attends Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit 2026

Vietnam attends Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit 2026

Themed “Transforming ASEAN Transformation: Innovation, Integration and Industrial Evolution,” the event aimed to promote economic growth, deepen regional integration, and advance sustainable development in Cambodia and across ASEAN, underscoring the bloc’s strong commitment to innovation-driven growth and fostering regional competitiveness.

Malaysia's National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at Menara 2 MCMC, Cyberjaya. (Photo: Straits Times)

Malaysia steps up fight against online financial scams

Since its establishment, the National Scam Response Centre of Malaysia has prevented more than 34.05 million MYR (8.5 million USD) from falling into the hands of scam syndicates. The amount returned to victims rose significantly from 508,479 MYR in 2024 to 6.65 million MYR in 2025.

Singapore prioritises climate change response initiatives

Singapore prioritises climate change response initiatives

In an increasingly volatile world, a Singaporean official stressed the need to prioritise building a climate-ready Singapore now, and prepare infrastructure, businesses and people today to be resilient in a climate-impaired future.