No.    89 / 2557

ASEAN-China cooperation moves forward at 7^th ASEAN-China SOM on DOC and the 20^th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation

                        On 21 – 22 April 2014, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Vice Foreign Minister of China co-chaired the 7^th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the 20^th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation (20^th ACSOC) in Pattaya, Chonburi Province. The meetings discussed efforts in moving forward the positive momentum of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and maintaining regional peace and stability for growth and prosperity.

                        During the 7^th ASEAN-China SOM on DOC, ASEAN and China Senior Officials discussed efforts to strengthen the implementation of the DOC and the consultations on the Code of the Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) by building upon achievements made at the last meeting held in Suzhou last year as well as the 10^th Joint Working Group (JWG) on the DOC held in Singapore last month. Both sides agreed to accelerate the implementation of the cooperative projects and activities listed in the 2014 Work Plan, which aims to build greater trust and confidence amongst parties concerned.

                        The meeting exchanged views on the objectives of the COC and tasked the JWG to flesh out some of the measures that can be undertaken to achieve such objectives, expand their work on commonalities as well as further approach on the DOC. The Senior Officials’ also tasked the JWG to finalize the term of references of the Eminent Persons and Experts Group (EPEG) who will assist the works of the JWG and SOM.

                        At the 20^th ACSOC, the Senior Officials reaffirmed the importance of the ASEAN-China relations as a pillar of regional peace and stability and committed to achieving better, closer and resilient ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership through building trust, confidence and mutual respect. ASEAN took note of China’s initiative to further strengthen the partnership, including exploring a possible Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, convening an Informal ASEAN-China Defense Ministers’ Meeting, cooperating on disaster management and maritime; and enhancing connectivity and cultural exchange.

                        The Senior Officials expressed their determination in continuing the efforts in achieving ASEAN-China trade target of 1 trillion USD by 2020. China’s initiative to upgrade ACFTA is an important contributor to such an endeavor. Both sides stressed the importance of bringing people closer together through activities to commemorate the ASEAN-China Cultural Exchange Year in 2014, including through the ASEAN-China Young Leadership Forum in Thailand later this year.

                        In combating Transnational Crimes, Thailand proposed to host a Regional Symposium on Combating Transnational Crimes at Seas and connectivity in mid-September this year. This symposium will address challenges of maritime security and reflect ASEAN-China’s efforts to promote a peaceful and stable environment in an evolving regional architecture.

                        In conclusion, the outcomes of these two meetings serve as groundwork to ensure the success of the upcoming ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) Session with China, to be held in August and the 17^th ASEAN-China Summit, to be held in November this year. As coordinator, Thailand will host the 12^th JWG on DOC back-to-back with the 8^th SOM on DOC in October this year to carry forward the momentum of ASEAN-China Cooperation.

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                                                                                                            22 April 2014

Sound clip of the co-chair press conference can be download here