China-ASEAN Relations, October 2009 to March 2010: 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 (1) a chronology of events and (2) important documents

– the Editors

October 2009

16th

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attend the Tenth Western China International Economy and Trade Fair and the Second Western China Forum on International Cooperation in Chengdu. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addresses the opening ceremony stressing that China will comprehensively raise the development and opening-up of the western regions, build up major clusters of modern industries, carry out balanced urban and rural reform, and make them forerunners of ecological construction and economic growth poles of strategic importance to the whole country.

19th

The China-ASEAN summit is held in Nanning. Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang meets Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council First Secretary Tin Aung Myint Oo, Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung and Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh. They vow to deepen mutual cooperation in various aspects and safeguard stability on the border areas. China and members of ASEAN also pledge to enhance agricultural cooperation to help improve economic development and prevent food crises.

20th

Sixth China-ASEAN Expo opens in Nanning.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region pledges tens of billions of dollars for the upgrading of roads, ports, airports and railways in preparation for the launch of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA). Huang Huakuan, head of Guangxi's Communication and Transport Department says, "Guangxi aims to become the most convenient, efficient transport channel linking south China with the ASEAN countries by 2020."

November 2009

3rd

The Fourth China-Singapore Forum opens in Beijing.

6th

The First Conference of the ASEAN + 3 Ministers Responsible for Information opens in Vientiane. Mounkeo Oraboun, Minister of Information and Culture of Lao, chairs the Conference. The Ministers explore ways in which ASEAN + 3 can collaborate in the information sector, including digital broadcasting, co-productions in digital content and media exchanges.

11th

Chinese President Hu Jintao meets Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and witnesses the signing of five agreements on expanding cooperation in trade and investment.

The Ninth Meeting of the ASEAN + 3 Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry opens in Bandar Seri Begawan. H.E Pehin Dato Yahya, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Brunei Darussalam chairs the meeting.

12th

Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Singapore and meets Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. President Hu issues a statement saying he is ready to work towards new progress in bilateral relations.

14th

APEC Leaders' Meeting commences.

17th

The Federation of Thai Industries voices concern over an influx of Chinese electrical devices following the CAFTA and calls on the government to devise measures to assist Thai manufacturers.

18th

The First ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC + China) opens in Siem Reap. It aims to further strengthen the cooperation between China and ASEAN. China promises to train 1,000 law enforcement officers for ASEAN countries over the next five years.

24th

The Sixth China-ASEAN Conference for Prosecutors General opens in Hanoi to discuss cooperative mechanisms and action plans to increase the effectiveness of the fight against transnational organised crime between ASEAN countries and China.

December 2009

2nd

Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meets a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s political bureau, Liu Qi, CPC Deputy Minister for International Department, Li Jinjun, and Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Zhang Qiyue. President Yudhoyono expresses his satisfaction with the China-Indonesia partnership.

8th

A joint Sino-Vietnam conference opens in the Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh. Mong Cai Town People's Committee chairman, Nguyen Manh Ha, proposes to build a pilot Mong Cai-Dongxing border-gate economic cooperation zone. He says, "The two towns are only separated by a river, so exchanges between peoples in the two countries are extremely close." Dongxing Town mayor Liu Qual Yue agrees that the building of such a...