[Explanation] On December 15, the 13th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum was held in Nanning, Guangxi.
More than 200 officials, experts and scholars from think tanks from ASEAN countries and many Chinese government agencies, think tanks, and institutions of higher learning participated in this forum to start a dialogue on the new opportunities and future of China-ASEAN cooperation under the background of RCEP.
[Commentary] Zhang Yantong, member of the Party Group and Deputy Director of the Counselor's Office of the State Council of China, emphasized in his speech that through 30 years of joint efforts, China-ASEAN formally established a China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, ushering in a new milestone in the history of bilateral relations.
[Concurrent] Zhang Yantong, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Counselor's Office of the State Council of China
The two sides should cherish and take care of them. The precious experience we have accumulated over the past 30 years of friendly cooperation, the peaceful and stable situation we have created, the sincere friendship we have formed, and the building of a closer community of shared destiny. Under the prospect of RCEP's entry into force, China-ASEAN cooperation New opportunities will usher in.
[Explanation] Deng Chunqing, deputy dean of the Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences, said that despite the difficulties the world is experiencing due to the new crown epidemic, the relationship between ASEAN and China is still developing.
In the past 30 years, ASEAN-China relations have been built on the basis of good-neighborliness, friendship, cooperation and mutual respect. The two sides have settled differences through dialogue, established trust and mutual understanding, and established good political, diplomatic and economic relations.
[Concurrent] Deng Chunqing, Deputy Dean of the Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences
In addition to good political and diplomatic relations, the relationship between ASEAN and China has also developed rapidly. The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area has become the third largest free trade area in the world. While the trade relations between ASEAN and China have developed, Vietnam-China trade relations have also gained Strong development.
In the first seven months of 2021, the total trade volume between Vietnam and China reached more than 91 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of more than 40% compared to the same period in 2020.
[Explanation] It is reported that the theme of this forum is "New Opportunities and Future for China-ASEAN Cooperation under the RCEP Background".
The forum was co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Counselor's Office of the State Council of China and the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and was hosted by the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, the Counselor's Office of the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Academy of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Secretariat of the China-ASEAN Expo.
The China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum has been successfully held for thirteen sessions since it was held in 2008.
Jiang Xuelin and Chen Yanyou report from Nanning, Guangxi
Editor in charge: [Ye Pan]