Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pushed forward win-win cooperation on promoting sustainability in all aspects of ASEAN- China, through BCG economy model, on the occasion of 30th anniversary of dialogue relations at the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in Chongqing, China

On 6-8 June 2021, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in Chongqing, the People’s Republic of China, upon the invitation by H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

The Meeting discussed the development and achievements of the dialogue relations over the past 30 years in all dimensions. ASEAN appreciated China’s support for ASEAN’s collective response to COVID-19 including its contribution of USD 1 million to COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and the provision of vaccines to ASEAN Member States. ASEAN commended China’s cooperation as the first dialogue partner to elevate the dialogue relations to Strategic Partnership in 2003 and the first non-ASEAN Partner to ratify the RCEP in 2021. Both sides were also pleased that ASEAN and China have become the largest trading partner of one another since 2020.

The Meeting also discussed the future direction of ASEAN-China relations. They agreed to deepen cooperation in all areas, particularly in public health emergencies response, post-pandemic recovery and sustainable development with the designation of 2021-2022 as the Years of Sustainable Development Cooperation. In addition, the Meeting exchanged views on regional and international issues such as the major powers relations, the South China Sea and the situation in Myanmar.

At this Meeting, Thailand expressed support for ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Thailand emphasised that, in the situation where all countries are affected by COVID-19 and need to put all their efforts towards the post-pandemic recovery, Thailand and ASEAN wish to see neither competition nor confrontation between major powers. Win-win cooperation should be promoted to provide conducive environment towards peace and mutual trust. As sustainable development cooperation is the key to future ASEAN-China relations, both sides should share best practices on poverty eradication, enhance food security, strengthen capacity to address climate change and explore the Bio, Circular and Green (BCG) Economy Model as a strategy for sustainable recovery. Thailand also presented the Meeting with the indicative List of ASEAN-China Cooperation Projects for Sustainable Future, incorporating 30 ongoing and envisaged projects on sustainable development under the bilateral, ASEAN and multilateral frameworks to reaffirm Thailand’s commitment on promoting cooperation in this area.

The Special Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was the first in-person meeting between Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and its dialogue partner after the COVID-19 outbreak. It was one of the activities that China convened in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the dialogue relations in 2021.