The Joint Science and Technology Committee, at its inaugural meeting on 23 March 1995 in Bandar, Seri, Begawan, endorsed the procedural guidelines and terms of reference of cooperation in science and technology between ASEAN and China. China has proposed collaborative projects in remote sensing, meteorology and earth sciences. It was agreed that feasible projects would be implemented as soon as possible on a cost-sharing basis.
The joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation is expected to convene its first meeting sometime in 1995.
The ASEAN-China relationship was further strengthened with the first consultations held between the Senior Officials of ASEAN Member Countries and China in Hangzhou on 2-3 April 1995. The Senior Officials exchanged views on international and regional security issues of common concern, including the rival claims over the Spratly Islands. ASEAN expressed serious concern over the intention and policy of China in the South China Sea as demonstrated by her recent actions in the Mischief Reef.
Earlier, on 18 March 1995, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers had issued a statement on the issue. In it the Ministers expressed their concern over recent developments which affected peace and stability in the South China Sea and called upon all parties concerned to refrain from taking actions that could destabilize the situation.
The Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member Countries and the Russian Federation held their third consultative meeting in Bangkok on 23 July 1994. The Russian Federation also took part in the inaugural meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum held on 25 July 1994 in Bangkok.
Effort, continued to be made on finding an appropriate modality for Institutionalizing the consultative relationship. In October 1994, the Russia Federation proposed to undertake an exchange of letters between the Foreign Minister of the Russian, Federation and the Secretary-General of ASEAN which contained suggestions for establishing joint committees on a number of areas of mutual interest. The ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) considered the Russian proposal and agreed to look into the possibility of establishing an ASEAN- Russia Commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (ARCSTC). On the other hand, the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) decided to explore first the economic prospects and benefits of the relationship before considering the appropriate modality for economic cooperation.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN Business Forum (ABF) agreed to host a seminar/ consultations between its members and their Russian counterparts from the private sector in July 1995. The seminar is expected to promote understanding and awareness among the ASEAN businessmen of the potential for investing in and trading with Russia. This was conceived following the formulation and submission of a business prospectus and macroeconomic outlook by the Russian private sector which was circulated by the ASEAN Secretariat to the ASEAN private sector.