Symposium on “New Opportunities & New Partnership - Cooperation between ASEAN and China after the COVID-19 Pandemic” Successfully Held

On 28 August 2020, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), the Royal Thai Embassy in China and China Foundation for International Studies (CFIS) co-hosted the Symposium on “New Opportunities & New Partnership - Cooperation between ASEAN and China after the COVID-19 Pandemic” in Beijing. Government officials, public health specialists, scholars, media and business representatives from ASEAN countries and China had in depth discussion on how to strengthen pandemic prevention, promote public health cooperation and create new driving force of growth for regional economy.

Mr. Lan Lijun, President of China Foundation for International Studies said that China and ASEAN member states, by standing closely together in fighting against COVID-19 and restarting economic activities, have demonstrated what it means to build a China-ASEAN community with a shared future and set a good example for global anti-pandemic efforts. In the post-pandemic era, China and ASEAN countries should take advantage of the new opportunities brought by digital economy, and harness their comparative strengths to promote cooperation across the board . The two sides should , on the one hand consolidate medium and long-term cooperation in health care and build a "community of health for all", and on the other hand, continue to improve and enhance the existing cooperation mechanisms in various fields, keep up the sound momentum of development in economy, trade and cultural exchanges and cultivate new growth points for cooperation.

Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Ambassador of Thailand to China, said that in the face of the additional challenges and uncertainties posed by COVID-19, ASEAN countries need to stand together and work closely with China and other external partners and members of the international community. ASEAN appreciates China’s achievements in its fight against COVID-19, and is grateful for China’s assistance to ASEAN, especially for its contribution to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund. As the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations approaches, ASEAN and China need to explore cooperation at a higher level in the areas of digital economy, medicine, humanitarian assistance and non-traditional security issues, so as to open up brighter prospects for our strategic partnership.

Mr. Aladdin D. Rillo, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, said in response to the unprecedented adverse impact presented by COVID-19 to the region, ASEAN and China gave full play to their long term friendly relations, worked together in the face of crisis, and made great progress in fighting the epidemic. The two sides could attach more importance to cooperation on supply chain, digital transformation and sustainable development, further pursue different approaches to overcome the epidemic, resume work and production, and build a new comprehensive cooperative partnership.

Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ACC pointed out that the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 has brought deep impact to the economy and people's lives all around the world. Amid the complex and changing situation, ASEAN countries and China have faced the challenges head-on, strengthened policy coordination for new growth, and expanded cooperation in trade, infrastructure, smart city, Internet of Things (IOT) and digital epidemic prevention. It is a dual task for all countries to jointly fight against the pandemic and resume work and production. China's strong rebound of its economy in the second quarter brings good opportunities for regional economic development. To adapt to the “new normal” , ASEAN and China need to foster greater synergy between the “Belt and Road Initiative” and ASEAN development plans, take advantage of digital means to inject new vitality into economic growth and achieve the sustainable development goals.

The meeting conducted in-depth exchanges on three sub-topics: the retrospect and prospect of ASEAN-China partnership, creation of new driving forces under the “new normal”, and the public health cooperation between ASEAN countries and China, which were all warmly received.

Around 150 participants, including ambassadors of Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries to China, Secretary-General Lee Hyuk of ASEAN-Korea Centre, Secretary-General Masataka Fujita of ASEAN-Japan Centre diplomats from 27 countries and government officials from ASEAN countries attended the symposium online or offline. Domestic and foreign media, including China Media Group, People’s Daily Online, Global Times Online, China Daily and the Star of Malaysia covered the event.