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ASEAN & China to work on deepening strategic cooperation
China's Ambassador to ASEAN Tong Xiaoling presented her Letter of Credentials to the Secretary- General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, a statement released by the ASEAN Secretary said here on Wednesday.
During the presentation held on Tuesday, both sides reiterated their readiness to bring ASEAN-China relations to a higher level after a 20-year dialogue partnership. As stipulated in the ASEAN Charter, non-ASEAN Member States and relevant intergovernmental organizations may appoint and accredit Ambassadors to ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. Twenty years of cooperation have demonstrated that China and ASEAN, as good neighbors, good partners and good friends, enjoy not only common interests and ambitions, but also a solid foundation and great potentials for furthering our cooperation," Ambassador Tong said in the statement.
In 2009, China became ASEAN's largest trading partner, accounting for 11.6 percent of ASEAN's total trade of 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars. At 178.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2009, trade value between ASEAN and China was higher than its pre-crisis level of 171.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2007. For the first eight months of last year, trade between ASEAN and China reached 185.4 billion U.S. dollars, 47 percent higher than the volume for the same period last year.
Ambassador Tong added that "as China's second Ambassador to ASEAN, I am ready to maintain close communication and cooperation with ASEAN colleagues to push forward China-ASEAN strategic cooperation to a higher level, to contribute to harmony and prosperity of the region."
Dr Surin encouraged Ambassador Tong to work closely with her counterparts from the ASEAN Member States, the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat.
ASEAN, China to work on deepening strategic cooperation
China's Ambassador to ASEAN Tong Xiaoling presented her Letter of Credentials to the Secretary- General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, a statement released by the ASEAN Secretary said here on Wednesday.
During the presentation held on Tuesday, both sides reiterated their readiness to bring ASEAN-China relations to a higher level after a 20-year dialogue partnership. As stipulated in the ASEAN Charter, non-ASEAN Member States and relevant intergovernmental organizations may appoint and accredit Ambassadors to ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. Twenty years of cooperation have demonstrated that China and ASEAN, as good neighbors, good partners and good friends, enjoy not only common interests and ambitions, but also a solid foundation and great potentials for furthering our cooperation," Ambassador Tong said in the statement.
In 2009, China became ASEAN's largest trading partner, accounting for 11.6 percent of ASEAN's total trade of 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars. At 178.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2009, trade value between ASEAN and China was higher than its pre-crisis level of 171.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2007. For the first eight months of last year, trade between ASEAN and China reached 185.4 billion U.S. dollars, 47 percent higher than the volume for the same period last year.
Ambassador Tong added that "as China's second Ambassador to ASEAN, I am ready to maintain close communication and cooperation with ASEAN colleagues to push forward China-ASEAN strategic cooperation to a higher level, to contribute to harmony and prosperity of the region."
Dr Surin encouraged Ambassador Tong to work closely with her counterparts from the ASEAN Member States, the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat.
ASEAN, China to work on deepening strategic cooperation
