President Thongloun Sisoulith on Nov 22 took part in the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations via a video conference.
Chaired by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the summit reviewed and highly valued the cooperation between ASEAN and China over the past 30 years as both sides have recorded a new landmark with the upgrading of their cooperation to comprehensive partnership demonstrating ASEAN-China political commitment to the protection of peace and stability and cooperation for development in the region and the world.
The leaders noted that over the past three decades, ASEAN and China have recorded numerous achievements with bilateral trade rising by 80% as compared to 1991. Meanwhile cultural and people exchange as well as cooperation in various areas have enjoyed constant growth.
ASEAN leaders appreciated the commitment made by China to continue to support ASEAN’s fight against Covid-19 through funding Covid-19 ASEAN Response Fund; cooperate on medicine research, comprehensive development of health personnel, and social and cultural exchange; consider the resumption of people exchange, provision of scholarship to ASEAN students; and cooperate in youth, women’s affairs and sports.
The meeting also discussed directions of cooperation, especially on economic recovery in the region through trade and investment integration by continuing to implement of the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Synergising the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor of China; promotion and development of digital economy and innovation, especially the use of modern technology in trade, finance, and banking areas and the capacity building of micro, small and medium enterprises.
The ASEAN and Chinese leaders also adopted the Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.
Source: Lao News Agency