On 25 January 2011, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Foreign Minister, attended the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Special Session) on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Relations in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. During the visit, Foreign Minister Kasit also attended the opening ceremony of “2011 ASEAN-China Friendship and Exchange Year”.
Foreign Minister Kasit told reporters in an interview that during the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, there was consensus that relations between ASEAN and China has been smooth, creative, and concrete, particularly in the areas of trade and investment. The Chinese side has supported the development of new ASEAN member countries and promoted closer ties between both sides, as can be seen in the rise in trade and investment figures, as well as in the number of tourists. This accomplishment owes itself to the confidence build between ASEAN and China, and China’s policy of engaging with ASEAN to create an atmosphere of peace, as well as to implement policies that are beneficial to neighbouring countries based on equality, honour, and continual support for each other.
In this regard, there remain a number of issues that both ASEAN and China need to push forward. These include the development of transportation and infrastructure networks (roads, bridges, rails and adding more flights) in order to promote connectivity at the people-to-people level, as well as to expand their strategic partnership to promote regional peace and stability on the basis of trust and confidence, as well as support for ASEAN and China’s increased role in regional and world fora, including the G-20, APEC and UN.
Both sides also agreed to organize joint activities to celebrate the Songkran or Water Festival, which is widely celebrated in Southern China and in many ASEAN countries. These activities could then be broadcast on television to reach a wider audience to underscore the cultural similarities between ASEAN and China.
In the afternoon, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers visited the Yunnan Agriculture University. This University has affiliations with educational institutions in 32 countries around the world, including Thailand. On this occasion, the delegation was briefed on the background of the University, which was followed by tea-making demonstration. That was followed by a dinner hosted by Mr. Bai Enpei, Secretary-General of the Yunnan Provincial Committee, Communist Party of China during which Foreign Minister Kasit congratulated ASEAN and China on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of their relations, as well as emphasized the close relations between ASEAN member countries and Yunnan Province.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th