China-ASEAN cooperation to stay strong, benefit people, says ASEAN chief

Guests pose for photos at the launching ceremony of "Invest in China Year" (Embracing ASEAN) in Kuantan, Pahang state, Malaysia, April 7, 2023. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will continue to see strong cooperation momentum in various fields including economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, and these collaboration is set to bring more benefits to the people of both sides, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said.

"The current momentum of cooperation is going very strong. Moving forward, it would remain strong," he told Xinhua Thursday on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits, which concluded on the same day in the Indonesian capital.

Latest data from China's General Administration of Customs showed that ASEAN remained China's largest trading partner in the first eight months of this year, with total trade volume climbing year on year, bucking a downward trend globally.

Kao said China and ASEAN have abundant cooperation opportunities in the future especially in such fields as the marine sector, green energy and  people-to-people exchanges.

China and ASEAN will co-host the ASEAN-China year of people-to-people exchanges next year, which is expected to further facilitate bilateral cooperation in culture, tourism, training and youth.

This aerial photo taken on April 24, 2022 shows a view of the Nandi Coastal Trail Park in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City at Binhai New Area of North China's Tianjin. (Xinhua)

Speaking highly of China's proposals during the summits, Kao said those proposals in people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation will bring in more investment, trade and more jobs for people in ASEAN.

"We hope China will continue to invest in infrastructure projects across the ASEAN member states. This will of course benefit ASEAN society and ASEAN people," he said.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world's largest free trade pact that became fully effective on June 2 this year for all its 15 members, will increase more economic dynamism and bring economic benefits for both ASEAN and China, the ASEAN chief added.

The 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits saw a number of cooperation deals signed by China and ASEAN in the fields including e-commerce, agriculture as well as science and technology.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.