September 2015 to December 2015: 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

SEPTEMBER 2015
17th		The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) expresses its strong interest in developing mutually beneficial economic relations with ASEAN. At a meeting with Secretary-General of ASEAN Le Luong Minh at the ASEAN Secretariat, Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR C.Y. Leung says that ASEAN’s economic dynamism presents tremendous opportunity for both sides to expand trade, investment and services linkages.   Secretary-General Minh appreciates Hong Kong’s keen interest in furthering relations with ASEAN within the framework of the One-China policy. Both Minh and Leung note the continued growth and expansion of economic relations between ASEAN and Hong Kong in recent years, with the total trade volume amounting to US$99.4 billion in 2014. ASEAN, as a group, is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner. Hong Kong’s investment flow to ASEAN in 2014 recorded an all-time high of US$9.5 billion.
18th–21st		The 12th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), themed “Maritime Cooperation”, convenes in Nanning city, Guangxi province. Some 4,600 booths showcase products and services of enterprises from ASEAN, China and the Republic of Korea, invited as the special guest country, in five pavilions, namely commodity trade, trade in services, investment cooperation, advanced technology and cities of charm.   Thailand is this year’s CAEXPO’s country of honour. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Thailand’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, reaffirms Thailand’s commitment towards strengthening regional cooperation with China. Recognising that China is the largest trading partner of ASEAN, while ASEAN is China’s fourth-largest trading partner in terms of exports and the second-largest partner for its import, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli emphasises that China is willing to work with ASEAN to expedite negotiations on upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
OCTOBER 2015
10th			Deputy Director-General of the Protocol Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhang Yiming accepts the copy of credentials presented by the newly appointed ambassador of Vietnam to China Dang Minh Khoi.
15th			Myanmar government and eight ethnic armed groups out of a total of 15, involved in a peace deal with the government, initiate the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Naypyitaw, signalling a major step towards ending more than six decades of civil conflict in the Southeast Asian country.   Foreign diplomats representing 50 countries, political parties, civil society organisations as well as local and international observers including those from the United Nations, the European Union (EU), China, India, Thailand and Japan witness the solemn signing.
21st			The Sixth ASEAN Connectivity Symposium, themed “The Connectivity Agenda for an Integrated ASEAN Community”, convenes in Kuala Lumpur with attendance from international organisations (APEC Secretariat) and dialogue partners (Australia, China, the EU, Japan and the Republic of Korea).
26th			Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong meets with Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda Basilio. Both sides exchange views on the preparation of the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and other topics.
26th			Former Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jinfeng visits Cambodia to gather input for the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong River Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism. Zhang says that the initiative aims to serve the common interests of the six countries in their development and poverty reduction, and further enhance their relations and cooperation in all fields, particularly in politics, economics and culture.
NOVERMBER 2015
5th–7th	The 10th ASEAN-China People-to-People Friendship Conference, themed “Together We Thrive as Friends, Together We Share Peace and Prosperity”, opens in Brunei. The three-day conference includes the China-ASEAN forum, China and other ASEAN cultural exchange and exhibition.   Gu Xiulian, president of the China-ASEAN Association, hails the 10+1 cooperation mechanism as a milestone at its 10th anniversary, but it is also a new starting point. Gu hopes that China and ASEAN...