ASEAN-CHINA

ASEAN-China relations have significantly advanced during the year under review with China becoming a full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. China attended the 29th AMM/PMC in Jakarta in July 1996 as a Dialogue Partner for the first time. Through the activities of the various bodies established between ASEAN and China, collaboration in the fields of political and security cooperation and in science and technology has accelerated.

The ASEAN-China SOM Consultations have developed satisfactorily since the first and second meetings held in 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Third ASEAN-China SOM Consultations, held in Huangshan, China, in April 1997, noted a very positive and cooperative state of relations between the two sides.

Following the upgrading of the ASEAN-China relations, the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee (ACJCC) was established in February 1997. At the inaugural meeting of the ACJCC in Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Minister expressed his hope that the ACJCC would provide a new channel of cooperation between ASEAN and China. China called for a "closer comprehensive cooperation and common development" between China and ASEAN.

At the Inaugural meeting of the ACJCC in Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Minister called for a "closer comprehensive cooperation and common development" between China and ASEAN

The terms of reference of the ACJCC and the Rules of Procedure of the Joint Management Committee for the ASEAN-China Cooperation (ACC) Fund have been adopted. China has contributed US$700,000 to establish the ACC Fund for ASEAN-China cooperation projects. The ACJCC approved in principle three project proposals from China on personnel exchange, a workshop on ASEAN-China economic and trade cooperation, and ASEAN-China informal exchange. These project proposals will be further developed for implementation in 1997 and 1998.

The Meeting considered a project proposal from China for a workshop, Investigation of Resources and Ecological Environment Supported by Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System in LaunchingMekong River Basin. The meeting agreed that the ASEAN side would refer the project proposal to the Experts Group in Remote Sensing under the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology.

Representatives of the ASEAN-Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASEAN-CCI) and their Chinese counterparts informed the Meeting that they had agreed to accelerate the establishment of an ASEAN-China Business Council for the promotion of private/business sector cooperation between ASEAN and China.

In addition to the ACJCC, ASEAN and China have also set up the following mechanisms: ASEAN-China Senior Officials (SOM) Consultations; ASEAN-China Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation; ASEAN-China Joint Science and Technology Committee. In addition, the ASEAN Ambassadors in Beijing have established the ASEAN Committee in Beijing.