Update the China-ASEAN relationship (2)

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Win-win cooperation is the theme of the times. Based on increasing common interests and strengthening cooperation, China and ASEAN are calling for an upgraded bilateral relationship. This will need innovative thinking, and measures to manage and control differences in a constructive way, in order to turn challenges into opportunities.

Firstly, the two sides need to further open their markets to each other, adjust the industrial structure, liberalize and facilitate exchanges in goods, services, and investment, update the structure of the China-ASEAN free trade area, and promote the establishment of a free trade area under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Secondly, the two sides need to strengthen cooperation at sea through the China-ASEAN maritime cooperation fund. Problems concerning the South China Sea are an increasing factor interfering with this process. Few countries wish to see what is currently a bilateral dispute with China become a broader ASEAN dispute. This would not be conducive to the unity of ASEAN, nor to peace and stability in the region. Earlier this year, Brunei and China agreed on joint exploration and exploitation of offshore oil and gas resources – such measures can help to break through the impasse of the South China Sea dispute.

Thirdly, the two sides need to enrich and expand cooperation between China and ASEAN in the field of security, and build regional security cooperation mechanisms. Of course, the two sides should continue to promote non-governmental mutual exchanges, and give full play to the special role of think tanks and the media in enhancing mutual understanding and communication, in order to generate positive public support for the improvement of the relationship over the next ten years.

(The author is deputy director and a senior research fellow at China Institute of International Studies (CIIS))

Read the Chinese version: 打造中国东盟关系升级版; source: People's Daily Overseas Edition; author: Ruan Zongze

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