China–Asean Relations April 2016 to June 2016: 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

APRIL 2016

5th	Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi makes his official visit to Myanmar at the invitation of his Myanmar counterpart Aung San Suu Kyi immediately after Myanmar’s new government took office. Suu Kyi holds talks in Naypyidaw with Wang. Wang says China will stand ready to join hands with the new Myanmar government to carry forward traditional China–Myanmar friendship, deepen political mutual trust and expand the mutually beneficial cooperation so as to open up a new future for bilateral relations. Suu Kyi remarks that Myanmar and China are neighbours with their interests closely connected. She believes China will continue to be Myanmar’s good friend and that the new Myanmar government is ready to work with China to strengthen high-level exchanges and economic cooperation, so as to achieve new and greater development in bilateral relations.
	Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao meets with Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in Beijing. Li affirms that Chinese–Thai bilateral relations have achieved new development as both countries celebrated the establishment of diplomatic relations last year. Princess Sirindhorn and the Thai royal family have played an irreplaceable role in promoting the China–Thailand friendship for a long time. Both sides hope to make joint efforts to deepen communication and cooperation in such areas as railways, economy and trade, as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Thailand.
11th	China and ASEAN reaffirm the importance of partnership between them and renew commitments to forge closer cooperation and strengthen ASEAN–China relations at the 17th Meeting of the ASEAN–China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) held in Jakarta. Both sides agree to work closely to ensure the new ASEAN–China Plan of Action (2016–20) (POA) is effectively implemented in the next five years as the two sides report significant progress in activities and projects implementation under the POA (2011–15).
	This meeting also reports that progress has been made in implementing the decisions of the 18th ASEAN–China Summit last November, including the upgrading of the ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement. Development cooperation is a key area of ASEAN–China collaboration. ASEAN member states acknowledge China’s contribution to ASEAN’s development by sponsoring relevant activities and projects through the ASEAN–China Cooperation Fund.
21st	Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei and meets with Brunei’s Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng. As both countries promote economic transformation and upgrading, and also accelerate sustainable development, Wang states that there is more prominent complementarity in cooperation between them. China is willing to work with the ASEAN to ensure the success of the China–ASEAN Summit and the Commemorative Summit for the 25th Anniversary of China–ASEAN Dialogue Relations. Brunei, pledging that it will stick to the one-China policy, is willing to work with China to strengthen practical cooperation in infrastructure construction, finance, the petrochemical industry and other areas, and expand communication in aspects like tourism, traditional Chinese medicine and youth affairs.
22nd	Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits Cambodia and meets King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. Wang and King Sihamoni reaffirm China–Cambodia traditional friendship, which was personally cultivated by China’s older generations of leaders and Cambodia’s late King Father Norodom Sihanouk. King Sihamoni says that Cambodia will continue to enhance the two countries’ friendly cooperation and push for constant new progress in bilateral relations.
	Wang and Cambodia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhon meet the press together. Wang says that China and Cambodia have exchanged in-depth views on the current situation of the South China Sea...