Officials from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) highlighted their partnership as a key source of stability in a turbulent world, calling for alignment of development strategies to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
At the opening of ASEAN-China Week in Fuzhou, Fujian province, participants stressed that deepening cooperation is crucial amid growing global challenges such as unilateralism and economic fragmentation.
Shi Zhongjun, secretary-general of the ASEAN-China Centre, said the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 aligns closely with China’s modernization goals, emphasizing people-centered development, sustainable growth, innovation, and the digital economy. “By uniting, we can offer ASEAN-China solutions and create a more prosperous future for the Asia-Pacific and beyond,” he said.
Malaysian Senate President Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah urged solidarity between ASEAN and China, advocating Asian values of peace, openness, and inclusiveness to enhance regional stability. Myanmar’s U Ko Ko Hlaing highlighted opportunities for collaboration in infrastructure, digital transformation, and the green economy, noting that joint efforts will strengthen resilience and shared prosperity.
Thailand’s Chettaphan Maksamphan also noted the transformative impact of China’s modernization on the region and stressed that aligning ASEAN 2045 with China’s development path can create a secure, resilient, and prosperous community for future generations.
The event, themed “Our Shared Future: Bridging ASEAN 2045 and Chinese Modernization”, included the release of the Report on ASEAN-China Trade and Investment Cooperation (2024-2025), which underlined strong economic ties. China and ASEAN are each other’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade continuing to grow steadily.
ASEAN-China Week, co-hosted by the Fujian Provincial Government and the ASEAN-China Centre, is a flagship event promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides.