Jakarta, April 4 (AseanAll)  — ASEAN and China reaffirmed commitment of both sides to enhancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) at the 25th ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting, held on 2 April 2024 at the ASEAN Headquarters.

China underscored that it continued to place high priority to its relations with ASEAN as part of the country neighbourhood diplomacy. China also reaffirmed its support for ASEAN Community building efforts and ASEAN Centrality, and for ASEAN to play an even bigger role in the evolving regional architecture.

Both sides exchanged views on developments in ASEAN and China and the continued progress of ASEAN-China cooperation over the past one year. Good progress has been made in the implementation of various areas under the ASEAN-China Plan of Action 2021-2025 and its annex to advance the CSP, including political dialogue and cooperation, non-traditional security, trade and investment, science and technology, digital economy, tourism, environment, education, public health, culture and information, environment, youth exchanges and disaster management.

The two sides also discussed this year’s cooperation theme, ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges. In this regard, the meeting noted China’s proposal for projects and activities to be conducted throughout the year.

The meeting further discussed ways to promote cooperation under the CSP. Several areas were highlighted as priorities for making the partnership more substantive, meaningful and mutually beneficial, such as strengthening trade and investment through enhancing the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, effective implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, supply chain, tourism, connectivity, agriculture, digitalisation and people-to-people exchanges. In addition, the meeting noted China’s proposals for outcome documents of the ASEAN-China Summit later this year.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to ASEAN, Aung Myo Myint, and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, Hou Yanqi, and attended by the Permanent Representatives of ASEAN Member States or their representatives, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community and their respective delegations. Timor-Leste also attended as Observer.