China-ASEAN EPG recommends cooperation priorities in next 15 years

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should strengthen and deepen their strategic partnership with focus on economic, political, security, social and cultural cooperation in the next 15 years, the China- ASEAN Eminent Persons Group (EPG) said in a latest report.

According to the report, over the last 15 years, the institutional framework to develop China-ASEAN relations and cooperation has taken shape while a total of 28 mechanisms within the framework have been established to facilitate cooperation and strengthen relations.

Based on the China-ASEAN free trade area, China and ASEAN should spare no effort to facilitate the free flow of goods, service, capital and labor to enhance the economic links. The two sides should also beef up the security cooperation so as to ensure and promote the harmonious relations among neighboring countries, said the China-ASEAN EPG in the report.

The report said both sides should contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and beyond, through the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the East Asian Community using the ASEAN Plus Three and other regional processes. They should also strengthen cooperation to promote common interests at regional and international fora, said the report.

The China-ASEAN EPG noted in the report that in the next 15 years and beyond, the two sides should continue to observe the following guiding principles in developing a strong, comprehensive and mutually beneficial relationship:

First, the development of relations between China and ASEAN should continue to be based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Ten Principles of the Bandung Asian-African Conference.

Second, each ASEAN member country conducts its relations with China along two tracks: the bilateral and multilateral, which are complementary and mutually reinforcing.

Third, in expanding the areas of cooperation, China and ASEAN need to follow the principle of consensus and move at a pace that is comfortable to both sides.

Fourth, it is important to avoid overlapping of mechanisms. In introducing new initiatives, China and ASEAN should try to build upon the existing processes, procedures and institutions as much as possible.

Finally, in promoting regional peace and security, it is important to adopt an open and inclusive approach, and to continue to strengthen linkages that have been developed between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners.

The China-ASEAN EPG, established in April 2005, calls together celebrities from China and ASEAN member countries' political, economic and business, academic, and cultural sectors. All the group members take part in activities on behalf of individuals and do not represent their country's stance.

The establishment of the EPG aims at taking stock of the China- ASEAN relations in the past 15 years, exploring how to deepen and broaden the current cooperation and formulate recommendations for consolidating the China-ASEAN partnership based on the existing mechanisms and documents.

Source: Xinhua