New 'Diamond Decade' for China and ASEAN
- By Wu Lin
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 12, 2013
The consensuses on deepening mutual trust and concentrating on economic development are the basis for pragmatic cooperation. Facing the uncertainty of China-ASEAN relations brought out by the South China Sea dispute, both China and ASEAN should make it clear that development is their common task at present and in the long run; China-ASEAN relations shouldn't be affected negatively by the dispute.
Drawing experience and lessons from the "golden decade", the first ten years of the strategic partnership, China's new leadership continues to see ASEAN as a priority on its periphery diplomatic agenda, intending to deepen strategic partnership with ASEAN, deal with problems and disputes through friendly consultation and reciprocal cooperation, and support the leading role of ASEAN in East Asia cooperation.
To enrich the concept of "a community of common destiny" raised by President Xi Jinping earlier, Premier Li made seven key recommendations to deepen cooperation over the next decade, which are outlined in seven fields including politics, security, economy, connectivity, finance, maritime affairs and cultural exchanges.
Li proposed an early conclusion of the negotiations on a treaty on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, an upgraded version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), and an Asian infrastructure investment bank. Also, he recommended setting up a China-ASEAN defense ministers' meeting, drafting a plan of action for cooperation on disaster relief, and preparing activities for cultural exchanges year in 2014.
Economic and social development issues are considered key fields of functional cooperation, which coordinate with the consensus of concentrating on economic development with ASEAN.
Economic cooperation is a cornerstone in China-ASEAN relationship as always. The upgraded version of the CAFTA will raise bilateral trade to US$1 trillion by 2020, lead to closer economic interdependence between China and Southeast Asia, and spill the cooperation momentum over to other functional areas for more comprehensive cooperation.
Today, realizing inclusive and consistent development is the priority for most countries in Asia. China and ASEAN have common interests in connectivity, environment protection, finance, cultural exchanges and so on.
Cooperation in connectivity is a highlight in the relationship between China and ASEAN. The establishment of an Asian infrastructure investment bank helps to meet ASEAN countries' financial demand for infrastructure, and to build an Asian financial system in the long run.
Beyond the economic and social cooperation, greater efforts will be given to cooperation in the political and strategic field according to Li's speech, and the adjustment is connected with situation in the South China Sea.
After the South China Sea dispute flared up in 2010, China encountered diplomatic pressure in the international community. The dispute also affected China-ASEAN relations and brought up uncertainties and worries about the prospect of the relationship. To respond to the situation, China's leadership established a new framework for the next decade on the basis of reassessing the surrounding environment, reconsidering its position in the regional order, and reflecting on previous policy.
As the South China Sea dispute is the biggest uncertainty for China-ASEAN relations and the whole region, successfully puttingng disputes under control and maintaining the stability of the region will be decisive in bringing about a "diamond decade" of relations between China and ASEAN.
To put disputes under control, three aspects were highlighted in the measures of the new framework, which reflects China's strategic thinking on this issue.
First, signing a treaty on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with ASEAN. The treaty creates a legal and institutional framework for the relationship in the future, which will help to constrain both China and ASEAN's behaviors.
Second, pushing forward the process of the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC)" gradually under the framework of implementing the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)".
Third, seeking joint development in the South China Sea and strengthening maritime cooperation in the fishery industry, energy, natural disaster relief and maritime connectivity.
The author is a research fellow in East Asian Studies Center at China Foreign Affairs University
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