China–ASEAN Relations April 2018 to June 2018: 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

APRIL 2018
1st–2nd	Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Hanoi, Vietnam for an official visit and meets separately with Vietnam’s General Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Both sides agree to speed up the alignment between the “Belt and Road Initiative” and the “Two Corridors and One Economic Circle”. Wang also suggests that both sides should adopt a prudent approach when addressing sensitive matters such as maritime issues.
4th	The Fifth ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network Conference convenes labour officials, private companies and other stakeholders from the ASEAN member states, as well as partners from the State Administration of Work Safety of China, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, the International Labour Organization, International Association of Labour Inspection, and the Asia Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Organization in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The conference discusses issues on occupational safety and health, as well as work injury compensation in the informal sector and rural employment.
6th–7th	The seminar on “Migrant Workers’ Contribution to an East Asia Economic Community”, held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, convenes officials, academics and representatives from the private sectors of the ASEAN member states, China and Republic of Korea to participate in discussions on methods to improve the conditions of migrant workers engaged in low-income jobs and those without social protection. The seminar also touches upon overseas job opportunities, vocational training, reduction of migration costs, protection from abuses, labour inspections, and occupational safety and health, among others. Recommendations for actions are developed for the consideration of the ASEAN Senior Labour Officials Meeting.
8th	Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong meets with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing during his working visit to China (Beijing, Hainan and Shanghai) at the invitation of Li. Both leaders jointly witness the signing of bilateral documents in fields such as cooperation in third-party markets, and people-to-people and cultural engagement. The foreign ministers of both countries also meet to discuss bilateral diplomatic relations as well as issues relating to China–US trade friction.
9th	Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong meets with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan. Wang expresses that “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” will guide China in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and heading for the second centenary goal. The concept of opening up in the new era has rich connotations. China will unswervingly expand opening-up at a higher level. China–Singapore relations are of strategic and forward-looking significance and bilateral cooperation will enjoy mutual benefits and win–win results. China is willing, together with Singapore, to learn from each other to promote all-round development in bilateral relations. Lee expresses optimism about a sound development in Singapore–China relations and China’s positive role in the building of a global governance system. The ASEAN–China Governors/Mayors’ Dialogue, held in Hainan, China, is a part of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018. Representatives from China, the ASEAN region, Croatia and Finland participate in discussions on cruise tourism cooperation along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The dialogue focuses on the operation of international cruise routes, particularly the coordination of various sectors for infrastructure construction, development of policies and regulations, training of service and sales personnel, and relaxation of cruise visa policies.
10th	Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is in China’s Hainan province to attend the Boao Forum. Both leaders witness the signing of cooperation documents. Xi points out that China–Philippines relations have undergone the “turnaround” stage to “consolidation” over the past two years, and the task for 2018...