ASEAN-China Center To Strengthen Cooperation In Trade

Nusa Dua, (Antara Bali) - An ASEAN-China Center was officially launched during the 14th ASEAN-China Summit here on Friday to strengthen  ASEAN-China cooperation in the trade, tourism, education and cultural fields.

"The launching of the ASEAN-China Center marks the 20th year of  ASEAN-China relations," Secretary  General of the ASEAN-China Center Ma Mingqiang told the press after the ASEAN-China Summit.

The center's establishment also reflected the resolve of  the leaders of ASEAN and China to strengthen the existing cooperation, he said.

The decision to set up the ASEAN-China Center to intensify bilateral cooperation was made by the two sides a long time ago.  

The MOU on forming the Beijing-based ASEAN-China Center was signed in 2009 and an  ASEAN-China Virtual Center was launched on  the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN-China Summit in 2010 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

"And now we witnessed the launching of the actual ASEAN-China center as a non-profit organization to promote every activity of the bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism, education and culture," Mingqiang said.

The ASEAN leaders held a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the 14th ASEAN-China Summit to discuss among other things cooperation between China and ASEAN in protecting stability, security and peace in the region, including in the South China Sea.

The ASEAN leaders attended the 19th ASEAN Summit here on Thursday (Nov 17). On Friday (Nov 18), they held  summits with their dialog partners  China, Japan, India, and South Korea.

On Saturday (Nov 19), the Sixth East Asian Summit (EAS) will be opened in  the presence of the leaders of ASEAN, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand,  Russia, and the United States.  

Established in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.*