Looking into the Future Seeking Common Development
To Advance the Building of a Closer ASEAN-China Community with a Shared Future
-------Ambassador Hou Yanqi delivers keynote remarks at the inauguration for the ASEAN-China Research Center in University of Indonesia
On 4 March 2024, the School of Strategic and Global Studies of University of Indonesia hosted the inauguration for the ASEAN-China Research Center, and the seminar “Towards 33 years of ASEAN-China Relations: Building a Regional Peace Ecosystem to Achieve Shared Prosperity”. Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN H.E. Hou Yanqi delivered keynote remarks at the event.
Ambassador Hou comprehensively elaborated the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs. She emphasized that China’s external work will focus on the theme of building a community with a shared future for mankind, which is how China proposes to solve the questions of what kind of world to build and how to build it based on our long-term perspective of the common security and development of all mankind. This concept is in sharp contrast to the mentality of zero-sum game, self-centered and selfish interest. With the increasingly appreciation and support from international community especially the vast number of developing countries, it has demonstrated tremendous vitality and great potential, and injected a strong boost to global governance.
Ambassador Hou positively reviewed the ASEAN-China relation. She stated that China and ASEAN are neighbors connected by mountains and rivers with cultural affinity, being a natural community with a shared future. Since the establishment of dialogue relations 33 years ago, ASEAN-China relationship has gone through an extraordinary journey and become the most successful and vibrant example for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Up to now, China and seven ASEAN countries including Indonesia have reached important consensus on building a community with a shared future. China took the lead to establish comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN, and is working together with ASEAN to build peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home. In 2023, the trade volume between China and ASEAN reached USD 911.7 billion, making China and ASEAN each other's largest trading partners for four consecutive years. China and ASEAN also enjoy fruitful Belt and Road cooperation. The BRI keeps benefiting the whole region through specific projects in individual countries.
Ambassador Hou emphasized that China firmly supports Lao PDR as ASEAN Chair this year, and is willing to work with ASEAN countries to achieve more outcomes in ASEAN-China relations. Ambassador Hou put forward five suggestions to build a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.
First, continue to enhance political mutual trust. China is willing to work with ASEAN to promote the principles and spirit of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia(TAC), adhere to the right direction of East Asia cooperation, and inject more certainty and positive energy for regional peace and prosperity.
Second, deepen practical cooperation in all aspects. China will continue to work with ASEAN to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and promote the implementation of GDI, GSI and GCI, deepen cooperation in emerging industries such as digital economy, blue economy, low-carbon transformation and artificial intelligence, and jointly promote stable and smooth industrial and supply chains.
Third, strengthen people-to-people exchange. This year is the “ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges”. China and ASEAN have and will continue to carry out a series of activities in culture, education, tourism, media, think tanks, youth and other fields. Local exchanges and cooperation are also booming. All these are bringing our people closer than ever.
Fourth, manage differences peacefully. China is willing to work with ASEAN member states to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and accelerate the negotiation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and strive to reach a regional norm that is effective, substantive and in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. At the same time, we should be alert to any external intervention.
Fifth, jointly improve global governance. As members of the Global South, China and ASEAN should continue to practice true multilateralism, advocate open regionalism, and work together to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, where all countries can share common peace, development and prosperity.
Ambassador Hou introduced the situation of China’s economic development. In 2023, China’s economy rebounded and improved, with an increase of 5.2% compared to the previous year. China remains the largest engine of global economic growth, contributing 32% to global economic growth. China will continue to comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, and promote the building of a great modern country and national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernization. ASEAN countries will surely find more opportunities, gain more tangible benefits, and draw greater impetus from the process of China's national rejuvenation.
The Centre for ASEAN-China Studies is the first think tank in Indonesia focusing on ASEAN-China studies. Around 100 guests joined the event, including representatives for Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heads of universities and think tanks, teachers and students of the Universitas Indonesia.
