China-ASEAN Cooperation in 2012

The year 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Framework Agreement on China-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and the year of China-ASEAN science and technology cooperation. Through the concerted efforts of the two sides, the initiatives announced by leaders of the two sides at last year's Commemorative Summit to Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations have been or are being vigorously implemented. Progress has been made in the development of the China-ASEAN FTA and cooperation in science and technology, the environment, culture and education, and many other fields, taking China-ASEAN strategic partnership to a higher level.

I. Political Exchange, Defense and Security

High-Level Exchanges

China and ASEAN have maintained close high-level contacts in 2012. Some 50 mutual visits by officials at or above deputy-prime-minister level were made between the two sides. These visits have further strengthened strategic mutual trust, communication and coordination.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended the ASEAN Post Ministerial Meetings in Phnom Penh in July and reaffirmed China's policy of promoting good-neighborly and friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with ASEAN.

In order to set up a contact mechanism with ASEAN, China opened a mission to ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia and appointed Mme. Yang Xiuping as Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN. The Chinese Mission to ASEAN was inaugurated on September 27.

The two sides have maintained close communication and coordination on major global and regional issues within multilateral organizations, including the UN, G20, APEC and East Asia Summit, to work for the establishment of a fair and just international political and economic order, making positive contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity.