China News Service, Beijing, October 28 (Reporter Liu Wenwen) China-ASEAN cooperation is a very important part of the Asia-Pacific regional integration process. Facing the complex and ever-changing external environment, how both sides seize opportunities and respond to challenges has attracted much attention from all walks of life. Focusing on expanding mutually beneficial and win-win space and deepening practical cooperation between China and ASEAN, Xu Ningning, an expert on China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation, accepted an exclusive interview with reporters on the 28th.
Xu Ningning said that China and ASEAN are connected by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny. They have always adhered to the cooperation concepts of good neighborliness, equality and mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and worked together to overcome various risks and challenges and upgrade bilateral relations at all levels. After years of intensive cultivation, political mutual trust between the two sides has been continuously consolidated, economic and trade cooperation has become closer, connectivity has continued to improve, and people-to-people exchanges are deeply connected, laying a solid foundation for regional peace, stability, prosperity and development.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership. In Xu Ningning’s view, the past five years have been a period of upgrading and fruitful outcomes for China-ASEAN relations. The two sides have close high-level exchanges, smooth strategic alignment, and all-round practical cooperation. The construction of version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area has been implemented in an orderly manner, and the dividends of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have continued to be released.
He continued to say that the construction of China-ASEAN community with a shared future has been deepened and solidified, and the strategic, exemplary and leading nature of bilateral relations has continued to be highlighted. At present, the two sides have officially embarked on a new journey to implement the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan (2026-2030), clarifying a roadmap and charting a new direction for practical cooperation in various fields in the next five years.
At present, the world's changes in a century are accelerating. The momentum of global economic recovery is weak, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, geopolitical disturbances are increasing, and various risks and challenges are intertwined. Based on the new stage and facing the new journey, Xu Ningning suggested focusing on deepening practical cooperation in five aspects to promote the stability and long-term development of bilateral relations.
First, deepen strategic mutual trust and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. Improve the normalized dialogue and consultation mechanism, abide by the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, manage differences through consultation, and safeguard regional peace and stability.
Second, deepen economic and trade cooperation and jointly expand regional growth space. Make good use of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and RCEP dividends to unblock the New Land and Sea Channel, optimize customs clearance and settlement services, strengthen supporting industrial chains, support small and medium-sized enterprises, expand two-way trade, and maximize common interests.
Third, we need to ensure smooth interconnection and jointly build a three-dimensional connectivity system. Promote the improvement of key projects such as the China-Laos Railway and the China-Thailand Railway, improve the layout of cross-border transportation and energy channels, accelerate the joint construction of digital infrastructure, and develop new business formats such as cross-border e-commerce and smart cities.
Fourth, focus on green transformation and jointly promote sustainable development. To meet ASEAN's energy transformation needs, promote cooperation in green technologies such as photovoltaics, energy storage, and hydrogen energy, cooperate with ASEAN power grid construction, strengthen cooperation on climate, disaster prevention and reduction, and create a low-carbon and resilient regional development pattern.
Fifth, we need to foster cultural integration and jointly consolidate the foundation of good-neighborliness and friendship. Expand exchanges in education, culture and tourism, youth, and think tanks, enrich the carriers of people-to-people exchanges, facilitate personnel exchanges, tell good stories of friendly cooperation, and consolidate the foundation of bilateral people-to-people exchanges.
