China–Asean Relations January 2017 to March 2017: Chronology of Events

As a research institute based in Singapore, the EAI monitors developments in relations and interactions between China and the individual countries of Southeast Asia as well as the ASEAN grouping as a whole. This material is presented in the form of (i) a chronology of events and (ii) important documents.

—the Editors

JANUARY 2017

1st	Chinese President Xi Jinping sends a message of condolences to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over the typhoon Nock-ten that hit the Philippines, and caused heavy casualties and property damage. Xi emphasises that China and the Philippines are friendly neighbours. China expresses deep concern about the Philippine people who become homeless and affected by the disaster, and also readiness to provide emergency assistance to the typhoon-hit area.
3rd	Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin meets with Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak. Liu reiterates that China is willing to intensify cooperation with Cambodia, comprehensively implement outcomes of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit and deepen practical cooperation in various fields, so as to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples. Pan Sorasak states that the two countries have enjoyed a long-standing traditional friendship, and that Cambodia is ready to collaborate with the Chinese side to advance bilateral relations, especially economic and trade cooperation for greater development.
10th	Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin meets the delegation led by the Director-General of the Department of Treaties and Law of the Laotian Foreign Ministry Phoukhong Sisoulath at the Chinese foreign ministry for their first official consultation meeting to exchange in-depth views on the working mechanism and capacity-building of treaties and laws, legislation and contracting issues concerning foreign affairs, issues of human rights treaties, legal affairs relating to the domestic implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, relevant settlement of disputes pertaining to the China–Laos Investment Agreement and other issues. Both sides unanimously agreed that the establishment and continuation of such a consultation mechanism between the two counterpart departments is conducive to enriching and deepening the China–Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

FEBRUARY 2017

7th

The China–Myanmar "2+2" High-level Consultations led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence are held in Kunming, China. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission Shao Yuanming, Myanmar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin and Myanmar's Chief of the No.1 Special Operations Bureau of the Tatmadaw, or Myanmar Armed Forces, Tun Tun Naung co-chair the consultations. Speaking positively about the sound development of China–Myanmar relations, both sides agree that proper and careful resolution of the northern Myanmar issue and the maintenance of peace and stability at the China–Myanmar border area are of great significance to promoting bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation in the new era. China expects the relevant parties in Myanmar to practise restraint and achieve a ceasefire in the northern Myanmar area soon to ensure stability at the China–Myanmar border area. Myanmar claims that it will take practical measures to stabilise the situation in northern Myanmar and advance the domestic peace process. Myanmar also welcomes China to play its due role in the process in a constructive way. At a joint press conference that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop after the fourth round of the China–Australia Diplomatic and Strategic Dialogue, Wang highlights that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Trans-Pacific Partnership and any other regional arrangement are all pathways leading to a larger goal of achieving a free trade area in the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). Wang says that China stays positive and open to all regional arrangements conducive to promoting regional economic integration and safeguarding the global free trade system. Wang says China is ready to work with Australia to advance the RCEP initiative, which is led by ASEAN in the 10 Plus Six Initiative, i.e. 10 ASEAN members and six dialogue partners, towards an early agreement and with the early conclusion of the RCEP. China can...