On 13 November 2014 at 15.25 – 16.40 hrs., H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand attended the 17th ASEAN - China Summit at the Myanmar International Convention Centre 1 (MICC-1) in Nay Pyi Taw. H.E. U Thien Sein, President of the Republic of Union chaired the meeting. Also in attendance were ASEAN Leaders, H.E. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The Leaders reviewed and highlighted the achievements made in the implementation of the ASEAN - China Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN - China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (2011-2015) and agreed to launch the formulation of the Plan of Action for 2016-2020 to chart the future course for more fruitful cooperation. They welcomed China’s constructive initiatives, especially the upgrading of the ASEAN - China FTA, the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the proposal to make the Year 2015 as the ASEAN - China Maritime Cooperation Year and develop the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st Century.

On the issue of the South China Sea, the Leaders underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and ensuring the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law. They tasked their Ministers and Senior Officials to work collaboratively on the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety and to intensify official substantive consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), with a view to arriving at its early conclusion. They also endorsed the “early harvest measures” including the tabletop exercise on joint search and rescue and the establishment of hotline platforms among maritime agencies and foreign ministries to promote trust and confidence, prevent and manage incidents that may occur.

The Prime Minister of Thailand expressed his views on ways to further promote ASEAN - China Strategic Partnership through the following proposals (1) promoting sustainable economic development through trade liberalization, with emphasis on agricultural sector and products; (2) enhancing regional connectivity in all dimension by developing connectivity network and increase economic capabilities; and (3) strengthening ASEAN - China relations and resolving pending issues in order to realise the strength of the strategic partnership.

The Prime Minister reiterated the commitment, as Country Coordinator for ASEAN - China Dialogue Relations, to continue to play a constructive role in advancing the ASEAN - China Strategic Partnership for mutual benefit of the peoples and the region.