For over three decades, the partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has blossomed into one of the Asia-Pacific region's most successful models of cooperation. This enduring alliance has significantly advanced the establishment of the ASEAN Community and promoted regional economic integration.
According to data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade between China and ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, has surpassed $100 billion each. China has maintained its position as ASEAN's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for the past four years. Together, they account for over one-fifth of the global economy, acting as a crucial engine for both global and regional economic recovery.
The impressive achievements of China-ASEAN cooperation are largely due to coordinated efforts in both \"hard connectivity\" and \"soft connectivity.\"
In the realm of \"hard connectivity,\" infrastructure development has been pivotal. Chongqing and Singapore serve as the dual hubs of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a joint initiative by China and ASEAN. This corridor integrates rail, road, air, and water transportation, effectively linking western China with the ASEAN region. Since the inauguration of the China-Laos Railway three years ago, daily passenger traffic has surged from 20,000 to a peak of 100,000. Additionally, the China-Laos Railway's cross-border cargo network now spans 19 countries and regions, thanks to its connection with the New Western Land-Sea Corridor and the China Railway Express.
The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway is another testament to this infrastructure boom, significantly reducing travel time between Cambodia's capital and the Sihanoukville Port. Over the past two years, the expressway has facilitated the movement of more than 10 million vehicles, averaging 13,000 vehicles daily.
Beyond land routes, China and ASEAN have collaborated on projects involving port shipping, air transportation, and energy pipelines, which have collectively enhanced the business environment within various industrial parks. Economic zones such as the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone, the Long Jiang Industrial Park, and the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone have attracted numerous enterprises. These zones are not only creating jobs but also driving industrial upgrades across ASEAN countries.
Through sustained and multifaceted cooperation, China and ASEAN continue to lay the groundwork for a prosperous and integrated regional economy, reinforcing their roles as key drivers of global economic stability and growth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
