For China, cultivating a closer community with a shared future for China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains a top priority, Xinhua reports.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday has addressed via video the opening ceremony of the 17th China-ASEAN Expo. Today, the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit is taking place in the southern city Nanning.
Commenting on the important business event, President Xi said that China and ASEAN nations are continuing to cooperate closely. After seven years, the China-ASEAN relationship has grown into the most successful and vibrant model for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
Even now, when the world is fighting against COVID-19, China and ASEAN have helped each other and took on the challenge in solidarity.
“Never before have the destinies of people in different countries been so closely connected,” as the world is undergoing momentous changes unseen in a century,” the Chinese leader stressed.
For China, ASEAN remains a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and a key region in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The all-round cooperation maintains good momentum for sustainable development and prosperity in the Asian region.
Expressing hope for the good future, Xi suggested that the two sides need to enhance strategic mutual trust and further synergize their development plans.
Xi noted as next year will mark the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations, China will work with ASEAN to take their strategic partnership to a higher level.
According to the Chinese leader, when its COVID-19 vaccines are available for use, his country will actively consider the needs of ASEAN nations. In addition, China is ready to provide financial support to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, train 1,000 administrative and specialized personnel in the health sector for ASEAN countries.
China will embark on a new journey next year toward fully building a modern socialist country, Xi said.
