Blossoming China-ASEAN ties 

Source: CCTV.com

10-30-2006 16:12

Over the past fifteen years, China and ASEAN have built a strategic partnership, which continues to develop.

China began dialogue with ASEAN in 1991. Five years later, at the 29th ministerial meeting in Jakarta, China became its full dialogue partner member.

ASEAN -China relations were raised to a new level with the singing of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in 2003. There has been no turning back in relations since then.

Zhang Yunling, director of institute of Asia Pacific studies, CASS said, “Before the year 2000, the two sides solved historical disputes through a dialogue mechanism, and developed mutual trust. This was the only basis for the future cooperation. After 2000, along with the establishment of the FTA, the two sides built a strategic partnership. Now China and ASEAN are striving to establish a more comprehensive cooperation, pushing the bilateral strategic partnership to a new level.”

While important differences remain, relations between China and ASEAN have seen a marked improvement over the past 15 years.

Nowadays, ASEAN views China more as an opportunity than a competitor.This is a result of efforts from both sides.

Zhang also said, “Easing contradictions through dialogue and consultation is the characteristic of relations between ASEAN and China. And this has made bilateral ties an example for implementation of Chinese policy towards neighboring countries. As developing countries, ASEAN members and China share extensive common interests. Mutual trust, mutual benefits, and mutual respect became the basis for deepening cooperation. All these ideas were embodied in negotiations including the FTA and South China Sea disputes.”

However, new challenges and problems could emerge in the region that will test the strength of the partnership.

ASEAN and China will have to take them in their stride as they forge a strategic partnership to benefit the present and future generations in the region.

As a responsible member of the international community, China not only recognizes its ties with ASEAN, but also relations with other regional mechanisms and neighboring countries.

Analysts believe that China's experiences in dealing with its relations with ASEAN are a good example.

Editor:Sun Luying