Friendly policy - China’s long-term strategy towards ASEANChina’s good neighbor policy towards ASEAN is not a measure of expediency, but a long-term strategic choice.
2013 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnershipbetween China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as the 10thanniversary of the China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and InvestmentSummit. Through more than 40 bilateral cooperation mechanisms and platforms, China-ASEAN comprehensive cooperation is developing in multiple directions.
China and ASEAN are capable of going beyond a “Golden Decade“ of cooperation. A“Diamond Decade” ought to be the target.
At present Asia is one of the most dynamic areas in world economic activity. China andASEAN constitute the most active free trade area in Asia. China has been ASEAN's largesttrade partner for 4 consecutive years, while ASEAN is China's third largest trade partner,fourth largest export destination, and second largest source of imports. The closeinteraction between China and ASEAN not only benefits our peoples, but also providesdynamic momentum for Asian and World economic development.
Development strengthens cooperation, while cooperation promotes development. Chinaand ASEAN are natural partners, as both parties are at a similar stage of development –engaged in rapid progress towards urbanization and industrialization. Thus both partiesface the common task of developing their economies and improving living standards for thegeneral population. Enhancing China-ASEAN economic cooperation will definitely act as apowerful force.
Through cooperation, China and ASEAN can achieve mutual benefit. In terms of itsdiplomatic strategy, China has always made a priority of developing ties with ASEANcountries. ASEAN also places a high value on the great potential and vast market of China’seconomy. Against the backdrop of gloomy economic prospects in America and Europe,China and ASEAN have experienced the benefits of cooperation. Both parties are wellaware of the fact that only by enhancing cooperation can we strengthen ourselves andobtain win-win results.
China and ASEAN have different strengths in business, natural resources, productivecapacity and industrial structure. Therefore we are highly complementary in all theseaspects. However we also compete in some low-end products. How to exploit ourrespective advantages and discover greater complementary potential is the key to furtherstrengthening China-ASEAN cooperation.
Faced with the complexity of the world economic recovery, emerging markets anddeveloping countries are jointly confronted by new challenges. As is the case with alldeveloping countries, China and ASEAN can no longer rely on exports to developedcountries as an engine of growth. We need to adjust our economic policies, promotingeconomic recovery by increasing investment in infrastructure and boosting domesticdemand.
China will strive to expand bilateral trade to 1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020 and increasebilateral investment by 150 billion dollars over the next eight years. Growing domesticdemand in China will offer great market opportunities for ASEAN products. As some low-end industries move from China to ASEAN, demand for China’s middle-end products willgrow in the ASEAN countries, and new industrial chains will be formed. Through improvedstandards of living and greater capacity for consumption, both sides are forming a newcomplementarity.
The upgraded version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) that China andASEAN are striving to build is an attempt to increase bilateral complementarity. Thisungraded version will renew and expand the content of CAFTA - reducing customs duties,cutting non-tariff measures, facilitating trade and investment, and building Asian financialplatforms, as well as promoting cooperation across sectors such as finance, environmentalprotection, and maritime issues.
China’s good neighbor policy is not a measure of expediency but a long-term strategicchoice. China will continue to support the construction of the ASEAN Community and backthe leading role of ASEAN in East Asia cooperation. Both parties are committed to friendlynegotiations to solve disputes, building mutual trust, and avoiding any negativeconsequences of bilateral cooperation. The success of the China-ASEAN modeldemonstrates the great potential for cooperation among developing countries.
Edited and Translated by Yao Chun, People's Daily Online
Read the Chinese version: 创造合作的“钻石十年”, source: People's Daily （Editor：YaoChun、Zhang Qian） Related reading
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