Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

PM: Don’t let rows overshadow good ASEAN-China ties

NANNING — Disputes and occasional friction between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries should not eclipse the benefits that come from having good relations and economic cooperation between the superpower and the regional bloc, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

NANNING — Disputes and occasional friction between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries should not eclipse the benefits that come from having good relations and economic cooperation between the superpower and the regional bloc, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

Delivering the keynote address at a conference in Nanning, China, attended by leaders from the region — among them Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen — Mr Lee said the ASEAN-China relationship should be seen in the context of growing interdependence and integration in the Asia-Pacific.

While the global economy is “not in a very robust condition”, Asia has remained a resilient engine of growth, in part due to China’s economic dynamism and integration, and cooperation between ASEAN and China.

Since the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (Goods Agreement) was signed in 2005, trade between the two has grown by almost three times to US$443.6 billion (S$561 billion) last year.

“More importantly, Asia’s growth has benefited millions of people in ASEAN and in China, as jobs have been created, workers’ incomes have risen and standards of living have improved,” said Mr Lee, who was speaking at the official opening ceremony of the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning.

He added: “I hope we can keep the momentum on regional integration up, even as we manage friction and issues that arise from time to time. We should keep difficult problems in perspective and not let disputes overshadow the positives of ASEAN-China cooperation.”

Tensions have flared between China and ASEAN member countries — in particular Vietnam and the Philippines — over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and discussions on a proposed Code of Conduct to ease conflicts have made little headway.

Mr Zhang, who also spoke at the ceremony, described China and ASEAN as “natural cooperation partners” due to similarities in language, history, culture and interests, as well as geographical proximity between the two.

China and ASEAN have always been supportive of each other, whether through economic activities or in natural disasters, and have reached a “new historical point” in the relationship, he said in Mandarin.

The Chinese government, he added, would regard this relationship highly and support ASEAN’s projects and initiatives.

“We are willing to join hands with ASEAN to progress and build a healthy, stable, lively China-ASEAN relationship,” he said.

The Chinese government is also committed to resolving disputes through negotiations in a way that respects history and international laws, as well as in a peaceful manner to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea, he said.

“Through this, the South China Sea can be made into a sea of peace, a sea of friendship, a sea of cooperation,” he said.

Over in Singapore, Mr Lee noted that economic ties between Singapore and China “are very significant and are growing”, with the Republic’s bilateral trade with China growing more than 20 times in 23 years, from US$4.2 billion (S$5.3 billion) in 1990 to US$92 billion last year. More than 5,200 Chinese companies have also set up shop in Singapore.

In a separate address at a roundtable discussion with China’s business leaders yesterday afternoon, Mr Lee listed why Singapore is “a good springboard” for Chinese firms looking to explore markets in ASEAN.

For one, the Republic has an extensive network of 20 free-trade agreements and other pacts, which reduce the cost of doing business through Singapore, he said.

The Republic is also well connected to major business centres in South-east Asia and elsewhere in the world, and its companies can provide a comprehensive suite of services, such as in finance and accounting, he said.

In addition, people in Singapore are comfortable operating between ASEAN and China, and can bridge the different cultures. Many Chinese companies, such as Lenovo and Xiaomi, have recognised this and have chosen Singapore as their regional hub, he noted.

Mr Lee will meet Hong Kong leaders today in the last leg of his week-long trip to China.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.