Vientiane, October 10 (AseanAll) — The 27th ASEAN-China Summit took place on October 10,2024 in Vientiane, with the participation of ASEAN leaders, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, attending as an observer.
The meeting, presided over by Lao Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, reviewed progress and charted the future direction for enhancing the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
The discussions focused on strengthening connectivity and resilience, aiming to benefit ASEAN, China, and the global community.
The leaders of ASEAN and China expressed deep appreciation for the fruitful outcomes of ASEAN-China cooperation over the past 33 years, which span political-security, economic, and socio-cultural sectors.
This partnership has significantly contributed to ASEAN Community-building efforts, as well as the common goal of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.
Since 2008, China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for three consecutive years since 2020. At the summit, ASEAN and China jointly announced the substantive conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade negotiations, marking a milestone in their economic relationship.
In addition to the ACFTA announcement, the leaders adopted five key outcome documents namely ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Combating Telecommunication Network Fraud and Online Gambling; ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation in People-to-People Exchanges; ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Promoting the Development of Smart Agriculture; ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Facilitating Cooperation in Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Ecosystem; and Joint Statement on the Substantial Conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations.
China remains one of ASEAN’s most important and active dialogue partners. ASEAN-China dialogue relations was first established in 1991, elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2018, and further enhanced to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2021.
