7-8-2023 (BEIJING) The inaugural ASEAN-China Week 2023 kicked off in Fuzhou, East China, reaffirming the significance of solidarity and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries. The event, co-hosted by the ASEAN-China Center (ACC) and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Fujian Provincial Government and Fuzhou Municipal Government, aims to foster closer bilateral relations. Over 300 senior government officials, diplomatic envoys, entrepreneurs, and think tank experts from ASEAN and China attended the event, which will run until August 11.
At the main themed forum titled “Forward-looking ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the New Era,” representatives from both China and ASEAN emphasized the importance of regional peace and stability. The event also saw the unveiling of three public service platforms under the China-Indonesia “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative during the ASEAN-China (Fujian) Forum on Trade and Investment Cooperation. Additionally, strategic cooperation framework agreements for nine projects under the initiative were signed.
The opening day featured various sessions, including a gourmet carnival, ASEAN film week, and an ASEAN-China symphony concert. Participants had the opportunity to savor food from ASEAN countries and China at the Shangri-La Hotel in Fuzhou, where chopsticks were predominantly used instead of knives and forks. Films from ASEAN nations were showcased on a large screen, further promoting cultural exchange.
Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Center, highlighted ASEAN’s success in maintaining regional peace, stability, and economic growth despite the complex international situation. He stated that ASEAN, as one of the most dynamic regions, leads the world’s post-pandemic recovery. Shi attributed ASEAN’s achievements to its commitment to progress, cooperation, solidarity, and independence.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of China’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the 10th anniversary of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative and the establishment of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. Arthayudh Srisamoot, the Thai Ambassador to China, praised the ASEAN-China Week for promoting understanding of ASEAN culture among the Chinese public and fostering new connections.
Furthermore, 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Ambassador Srisamoot lauded the BRI for enhancing connectivity between nations and facilitating cooperation in transportation, logistics, cultural exchanges, and youth interactions between Thailand and China.
Ong Tee Keat, a senior fellow with the Taihe Institute and chairman of the Malaysian think tank the Center for New Inclusive Asia, emphasized the need for comprehensive and multi-dimensional relations between China and ASEAN under their upgraded comprehensive strategic partnership. He stressed the importance of non-political sessions during the event to foster people-to-people exchanges, cultural understanding, and non-official contact, thereby mitigating misunderstandings and minimizing the potential for third-party interventions.
The ASEAN-China Week, following the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta, is regarded as a significant event to facilitate further China-ASEAN exchanges in the second half of 2023. It will be followed by the 2023 ASEAN-China Summit in September, the 20th China-ASEAN Expo, the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, and the APEC Summit in November, where ASEAN nations and China will participate.
Benito Gosiaco Techico, the special envoy of the Philippine president to China for trade, investment, and tourism, expressed Manila’s eagerness for increased investment collaboration with China, particularly in agriculture, information technology, tourism, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors.
ASEAN has been China’s largest trading partner for three consecutive years, with trade between the two accounting for 15.3 percent of China’s total trade in the first half of 2023. The bilateral trade volume reached 3.08 trillion yuan ($428.96 billion), marking a 5.4 percent increase from 2022.
