Preamble
1. On November 29 2004, the Heads of State/Government of the Association of South East Asian Nations and the People’s Republic of China signed the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (2005-2010) in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
2. Within the framework of the implementation of the Plan of Action 2005-2010, ASEAN and China concluded activities on political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars in order to help strengthen the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015. Under the political-security cooperation, frequent contacts and interactions between leaders, ministers and senior officials have been undertaken including the convening of the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit in 2006 in Nanning. Significant progress has also been achieved in the context of the follow-up to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), ASEAN Plus Three (APT), East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
3. The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) which has been realised since 1 January 2010 should further promote comprehensive economic cooperation including investment cooperation through, inter alia, the utilization of the USD $10 billion ASEAN-China Investment Cooperation Fund that was sponsored in a commercial nature mainly by the Export-Import Bank of China for infrastructure, energy, natural resources and ICT development in ASEAN Member States. Cooperation in the fields of agriculture, ICT, transport including the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link, China and the Mekong River Basin development cooperation, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on Maritime Cooperation and Aviation Cooperation Framework have contributed to the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity.
4. Functional cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology, Education, Culture, Human Resources and Social Security Cooperation, Poverty Alleviation, Local Government Cooperation and People-to-people exchanges, Environmental Cooperation, Media Cooperation, Quality Inspection Cooperation and Intellectual Property Rights have also significantly contributed to the ASEAN-China Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.
5. Progress also achieved in the APT cooperation framework including on the multilateralisation of the Chiang Mai Initiative and the Asian Bond Markets Initiative, tourism cooperation and energy cooperation.
A. Plan of Action in 2011-2015
In order to continue to deepen the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity and support the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, the two parties will pursue the following joint actions and measures, in conformity with their obligations under international law and in accordance with domestic law and policies:
1. Political and Security Cooperation
1.1. Regular High-Level Contacts, Visits and Interactions
Maintain regular high-level contacts and make good use of all available opportunities to exchange views on ASEAN-China relations and regional and international issues of common interests;
1.2 Political Dialogue and Cooperation
Enhance dialogue and cooperation at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference + 1 Session with China, ASEAN-China Senior Officials Consultations (SOC), ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC), and other dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in various fields to ensure the timely and effective implementation of decisions and initiatives taken at the ASEAN-China Summit;
1.3 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
Uphold the spirit of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) to enhance regional peace, security, prosperity and mutual confidence and trust, including, among others, supporting ASEAN in conducting and hosting workshops and symposium to assess the TAC implementation progress;
1.4 Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone
Support ASEAN’s efforts towards realizing a Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and reaffirm China’s readiness to sign the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty, together with the other Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) as soon as possible;
1.5 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)
1.5.1 Push forward the full and effective implementation of the DOC in the South China Sea to maintain regional stability and promote cooperation in South China Sea including through the regular convening of the ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on the DOC and the ASEAN-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the DOC and continued joint efforts in drafting the Guidelines for the implementation of the DOC while working toward the eventual conclusion, on the basis of consultations and consensus, of a code of conduct in the South China Sea;
1.5.2 Promote trust and confidence building through cooperative activities, in accordance with the principles of the DOC, in particular, those of consultations and consensus among the concerned Parties in the South China Sea, pending the peaceful settlement of the territorial and jurisdictional issues as stated in the DOC.
1.5.3 Adhere to the terminologies used in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other instruments of the International Maritime Organisation;
1.5.4 Promote joint cooperation and dialogue in areas such as marine scientific research, protection of the marine environment, safety of navigation and communication at sea, search and rescue operation, humane treatment of all persons in danger or distress, fight against transnational crimes as well as cooperation, among military officials.
1.6 Human Rights
1.6.1 Collaborate on human rights through regional dialogues, seminars and workshops, education and awareness raising activities, as well as exchanges of best practices and other capacity building initiatives aimed at enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. This includes supporting the work of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), which is the first regional mechanism and overarching institution for the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN;
1.7 Cooperation in the Field of Non-Traditional Security
1.7.1 Implement the ASEAN-China MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Non-Traditional Security Issues (2010 – 2014). Increase exchange of visits and enhance cooperation under the framework of ASEAN Plus One Ministerial and Senior Officials Meetings on Transnational Crimes, ASEAN-China Cooperative Operations in Response to Dangerous Drugs (ACCORD) as well as other relevant frameworks to strengthen exchange of information in the field of non-traditional security;
1.7.2 Promote sharing of information, exchange of experiences, and best practices as capacity building measures through mutual visits, training courses and seminars between relevant agencies of ASEAN and China on counter- terrorism and transnational crimes including illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons especially women and children, arms smuggling, sea piracy, money laundering, international economic crimes and cybercrimes;
1.7.3 Promote and enhance capacity building efforts between ASEAN and China in the area of combating the activities of Trafficking in Persons;
1.7.4 Collaborate to enhance competency in drug control, criminal forensic technology, border control management, anti-money laundering, counter financing of terrorism, investigation into international economic crimes and cybercrimes;
1.7.5 Promote close cooperation and coordination of law enforcement agencies between ASEAN and China through, among others, utilization of existing regional and international facilities and mechanism, where applicable;
1.7.6 Strengthen cooperation on criminal investigation and prosecution in accordance with domestic law and policies, and encourage signing of bilateral cooperation agreements between China and individual ASEAN Member State while further strengthening cooperation within the existing bilateral frameworks, where applicable;
1.7.7 Promote mutual visits and exchange among police academies in ASEAN and China;
1.7.8 Promote linkages and increase exchange of visits of experts and scholars on specific areas and support joint research in the field of non-traditional security and share research results; and
1.7.9 Strengthen cooperation on law and legal matters.
1.8 Military Exchanges and Cooperation
1.8.1 Hold regular defense and security consultations between relevant countries, gradually expand cooperative forms and areas to enhance mutual confidence and trust in defence and military fields with a view to maintaining peace and stability in the region;
1.8.2 Continue to strengthen exchanges involving high-level military personnel, professional groups, and conduct joint training and personnel exchanges; and
1.8.3 Support and participate in the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting- Plus.
1.9 20th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in 2011
1.9.1 Work together to hold a series of activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in 2011.
2. Economic Cooperation
2.1 ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA)
2.1.1 Implement agreements under the ACFTA and assist enterprises of both sides to take advantage of the benefits arising from the various ACFTA agreements;
2.1.2 Monitor problems arising from the implementation of ACFTA and resolve these amicably and constructively through consultations;
2.1.3 Work together to establish the Virtual Centre in 2010 and the ASEAN-China Centre in 2011;
2.1.4 Actively undertake cooperation in trade and investment facilitation, transport infrastructure connectivity and construction, human resources development through exchange of expertise and economic and technical cooperation;
2.1.5 Utilize various trade promotion activities in ASEAN and China such as the ASEAN-China Expo, ASEAN-China Business and Investment Summit, Western China International Fair, and China Kunming Import and Export Commodity Fairs as platforms to promote mutual understanding, cooperation and expansion of two-way trade and investments;
2.1.6 Effectively utilize the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area Business Portal;
2.1.7 Continue to work towards improved market access and progressive liberalisation of trade in services with substantial sectoral coverage, in accordance with the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and China; and
2.1.8 Promote exchanges and cooperation among chambers of commerce of ASEAN and China through workshops and other mutually agreed activities.
2.2 Financial Cooperation
2.2.1 Further enhance the effectiveness of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM);
2.2.2 Continue to engage in discussions on how to further enhance regional financial cooperation under the ASEAN Plus Three framework and explore future priorities of financial cooperation;
2.2.3 Collaborate in the establishment of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), an independent regional surveillance unit that will monitor and analyse regional economies, which contributes to the early detection of risks, swift implementation of remedial actions and effective CMIM decision-making;
2.2.4 Enhance the macroeconomic and financial stability of regional economies by fostering the development of local-currency-denominated bond markets through the Asian Bond Markets Initiative (ABMI), promoting the issuance of and facilitating the demand for local currency-denominated bonds, as well as improving the regulatory framework and related infrastructure for the bond markets;
2.2.5 Promote human resource development and capacity building in banking and financial sectors; and
2.2.6 Enhance cooperation and technical assistance to develop ASEAN-China capital markets.
2.3 Agricultural Cooperation
2.3.1 Continue to strengthen dialogue and exchanges in agriculture issues and information under the ASEAN Plus Three framework;
2.3.2 Implement the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN Secretariat and the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China on Agricultural Cooperation;
2.3.3 Implement the initiatives of ASEAN-China Action Plan on Comprehensive Food Productivity Enhancement and ASEAN-China Rural Development Promotion Program;
2.3.4 Strengthen agricultural production and technology cooperation including hybrid rice and advance quality and high-yield agricultural demonstration activities by supporting R&D centers in Member States for improved crop species;
2.3.5 Continue to enhance exchanges involving advanced applicable technologies and cooperate in planting, animal husbandry, fishery, management of peat land and relevant fields;
2.3.6 Enhance economic and trade cooperation in the agricultural field to promote the trade of farm tools, processing machinery and techniques and equipment, farm produce, agricultural means of production, grains and improved species;
2.3.7 Enhance cooperation on preventing and controlling cross-border animal and plant diseases by exchanging information, techniques and experiences on early warning, epidemic surveillance and development of vaccine to improve animal and plant disease prevention networks and disease notification system;
2.3.8 Explore regional-specific and unified standards for cross-border animal and plant inspection and quarantine, in association with the profile of animal and plant import and export between ASEAN and China;
2.3.9 Work towards the early conclusion of the Agreement on ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve and hold regular ASEAN Plus Three Food Security Cooperation Strategic Roundtable Conference to explore the channel and mechanism for strengthening strategic cooperation in food security with a view to improving regional food security ;
2.3.10 Promote sustainable use and management of forest resources and water resources through enhancing dialogue and cooperation;
2.3.11 Harmonise related protocols on food safety and organise a network of food laboratories in ASEAN and China; and
2.3.12 Enhance cooperation in human resources development through a series of training courses on agricultural technologies to help train agricultural technicians and officials for ASEAN Member States.
2.4 ICT Cooperation
2.4.1 Continue to conduct policy dialogue and exchanges through the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on ICT and other mechanisms;
2.4.2 Further implement the MOU between ASEAN and China on Cooperation in Information and Communications Technology, and the Plan of Action to Implement the Beijing Declaration on ASEAN -China ICT Cooperative Partnership for Common Development;
2.4.3 Develop long-term cooperation on network security emergency drills for the purposes of maintaining and enhancing cyber security, and preventing and combating cyber crimes;
2.4.4 Push forward cooperation in developing rural telecommunications, expanding network application and improving ICT application;
2.4.5 Promote human resources development cooperation through various training courses, seminars, workshops as well as exchanges of visits among ICT experts;
2.4.6 Support ASEAN in its implementation of e-ASEAN Framework Agreement through the exchange of experience and best practices particularly on electronic commerce; and
2.4.7 Promote and support the implementation of ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2015.
2.5 Transport Cooperation
2.5.1 Strengthen policy dialogue and exchanges through the ASEAN-China Transport Ministers’ Meeting;
2.5.2 Implement the MOU between ASEAN and China on Transport Cooperation signed between ASEAN and China;
2.5.3 Support the implementation of the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity, including financial and technical assistance;
2.5.4 Make good use of the ASEAN-China Investment Cooperation Fund and other relevant funds to gradually advance infrastructure connectivity involving railway, road, maritime, and inland waterways in line with the priority projects, among others, in the Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation;
2.5.5 Promote maritime transportation and development of seaports with the objective of improving connectivity in all ASEAN Member States and China;
2.5.6 Work toward the early signing and implementation of the ASEAN-China Air Transport Agreement (ATA) and explore the expansion of the ATA between ASEAN and China;
2.5.7 Complete the Kunming-Bangkok highway and accelerate the construction of the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link (SKRL); and
2.5.8 Strengthen cooperation in human resources development in the field of transport.
2.6 Tourism Cooperation
2.6.1 Strengthen policy dialogue and cooperation through the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Tourism;
2.6.2 Strengthen ties and cooperation among tourism authorities and enterprises of ASEAN and China at all levels, and encourage joint development of tourism products;
2.6.3 Encourage each other’s participation in the annual ASEAN Tourism Forum and in the International Tourism Fair in China;
2.6.4 Strengthen cooperation to implement the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan for 2011- 2015 through joint programs on marketing and promotions, human resource development, travel and investment facilitation, research and study on the outbound market and characteristics of Chinese tourists; and
2.6.5 Encourage cooperation and explore the development of measures to facilitate coordination during emergency and crisis situations and to cushion impacts of unforeseen circumstances on tourism.
2.7 Energy and Mineral Cooperation
2.7.1 Strengthen policy exchanges and dialogue on energy particularly on hydropower, mineral and geosciences and share information and experiences on energy development, particularly on hydrology, hydropower, coal and geothermal energy, among others, through regional fora and seminars;
2.7.2 Enhance energy cooperation and encourage investment in joint energy infrastructure development in resource exploration, power generation, downstream oil and gas industry, renewable and alternative energy, civilian nuclear energy for peaceful use while giving careful and due regard to the security, environmental, health and internationally recognized safety standards of the energy source, for mutual benefit;
2.7.3 Enhance cooperation, information sharing and technical exchange in the development of new and renewable energy sources and technologies such as bio-energy, hydropower, wind, solar, clean coal, hydrogen and fuel cell;
2.7.4 Enhance cooperation in the promotion of energy conservation and sharing best practices in energy efficiency and conservation;
2.7.5 Encourage enterprises from both sides to invest in mineral resource exploration and development for mutual benefit while ensuring environmental protection and sustainable development; and
2.7.6 Enhance geological and mineral cooperation through joint study, capacity building programmes, development of database and information exchange and sharing of experiences for mutual benefit.
2.8 Cooperation in Quality Inspection
2.8.1 Implement the MOU between ASEAN and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Strengthening Sanitary and Phytosanitary Cooperation and the MOU between ASEAN and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Strengthening Cooperation in the Field of Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment;
2.8.2 Hold regular ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to enhance the exchanges and cooperation between relevant authorities; and
2.8.3 Continue regular dialogue between ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standard and Quality (ACCSQ) and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ) to explore and undertake joint study and capacity building projects.
2.9 Customs Cooperation
2.9.1 Negotiate and sign the MOU between ASEAN and China in Customs Cooperation as early as possible;
2.9.2 Promote trade facilitation cooperation between ASEAN and China through development of customs techniques and application of ICT in customs cooperation;
2.9.3 Promote Implementation of the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards by considering, among other things, exchange of customs information and carry out pilot cooperation projects of mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, as appropriate;
2.9.4 Promote ASEAN-China customs reform and modernisation process with emphasis on capacity building; and
2.9.5 Continue to support the implementation of projects related to customs in the Initiative of ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan 2 (2009-2015) to train middle and senior level customs officials of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam.
2.10 Cooperation in Intellectual Property Rights
2.10.1 Implement the MOU between ASEAN and China on Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property; and
2.10.2 Strengthen exchanges in the field of intellectual property rights and help ASEAN train professionals on intellectual property rights.
2.11 Narrowing Development Gap
2.11.1 Intensify support and assistance, financially and technically, for ASEAN’s narrowing development gap and integration efforts by implementing the IAI and its Work Plan II through enhancing infrastructure development, human resource development, information and communication technology and regional and sub-regional development.
2.12 Mekong River Basin and Sub-regional Development Cooperation
2.12.1 Promote dialogue in the area of national development between national planning agency and think-tanks of both sides on regular basis with a view to enhancing capacity to sharing knowledge, expertise and best practices;
2.12.2 Continue to strengthen cooperation under the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Cooperation (AMBDC) frameworks;
2.12.3 Actively consider building transport infrastructure such as road and railway, linking relevant ASEAN Member States and China as well as support the development of transportation programmes under the GMS framework;
2.12.4 Encourage China to continue the ongoing cooperation with Lower Mekong Countries to share information, experiences and best practices on basin planning and sustainable development to enhance prosperity in the sub-region;
2.12.5 Improve navigational safety on the Lancang-Mekong River in a sustainable manner through consultations among the riparian countries, while undertaking to preserve the environment and unique way of life of the people who live along the river, and develop international shipping and explore methods to simplify exit and entry procedures in waterway transportation as well as cooperate with each other to mitigate the negative impacts of the navigation to riparian countries;
2.12.6 Consider sharing information and experiences of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Navigation Channel Improvement Project on the Mekong River;
2.12.7 Promote the GMS Business Forum to become a prominent feature in regional economic cooperation and strengthen cooperation and exchanges among Chambers of Commerce to promote private sector participation in regional cooperation;
2.12.8 Ratify GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) at an earliest time and launch one-stop pilot check under the framework of CBTA to promote trade facilitation;
2.12.9 Work towards the establishment of a regional tourism corridor;
2.12.10 Support the development of economic corridors under the GMS framework;
2.12.11 Facilitate cooperation among sub-regional private-sector and promote sectoral exchanges and cooperation;
2.12.12 Formulate GMS Power Development Master Plan, taking into account the existing GMS Master Plan and the Master Plan for Power Inter-connection, continue to support orderly development of GMS power resource, improve GMS Regional Power Trade Cooperation Database/Website, carry out study and training on important issues of GMS power market, and enhance international exchanges on GMS electricity regulation;
2.12.13 Under the existing mechanism, enhance exchanges of information and strengthen cooperation on the sustainable usage and management of water resources in the Lancang-Mekong River, towards reasonable and equitable use of water and related resources and promoting capacity building in basin development and integrated water resources management including flood and drought management in riparian countries;
2.12.14 Promote GMS environmental cooperation, especially on bio-diversity conservation through poverty alleviation, capacity building and rural environmental management, and consistently improving the GMS Bio-diversity Corridor Initiative Project; and promote sustainable use, including the equitable access and benefit sharing of the sub-region’s genetic resources as provided by the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity;
2.12.15 Work towards managing and monitoring water quality of Mekong River;
2.12.16 Promote forestation/forest rehabilitation and sustainable forest management among riparian countries through capacity building, policy dialogue, project demonstrations and information exchange, to bring soil erosion under control, improve the productive capacity and social-economic benefits of forest ecosystems;
2.12.17 Promote cooperative activities to address climate change;
2.12.18 Continue to implement GMS cross-border public health cooperation for the purpose of reducing cross-border transmission and outbreak of communicable diseases;
2.12.19 Support the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA);
2.12.20 Implement the Framework for Economic Cooperation between BIMP-EAGA and China;
2.12.21 Strengthen cooperation in the priority sectors identified for BIMP-EAGA development, namely agriculture, transport, infrastructure, ICT, natural resources, tourism and SMEs;
2.12.22 Cooperate in resources development through direct investment, trade, project-contracting, and economic and technical cooperation; and
2.12.23 Provide technical and capital assistance for BIMP-EAGA programmes and projects through various channels.
2.13 SMEs Cooperation
2.13.1 Strengthen policy consultations and dialogue between the relevant authorities on SMEs and pragmatically advance SMEs cooperation;
2.13.2 Share best practices and experiences on the development of SMEs through seminars, workshops and symposiums; and
2.13.3 Encourage active participation of ASEAN Member States in the China International SMEs Expo to promote SMEs of both sides to expand their markets.
2.14 Industrial Cooperation
2.14.1 Proactively explore and conduct exchanges and cooperation in the industrial field.
3. Social and Cultural Cooperation
3.1 Cooperation in Public Health
3.1.1 Enhance policy dialogue and exchanges through ASEAN-China Health Ministers’ Meeting;
3.1.2 Deepen cooperation in preventing and controlling communicable diseases, especially on early detection, report, prevention, control and treatment, and conduct exchanges of technologies, personnel and experiences to enhance response capability;
3.1.3 Cooperate in preparedness and responses against pandemic influenza and provide ASEAN Member States with the supply of vaccines, antiviral drugs and Personal Protective Equipment;
3.1.4 Strengthen cooperation on traditional medicine, complementary and alternative medicines (TM/CAM) focusing on its protection, development and integration to healthcare system;
3.1.5 Explore the possibility of cooperating in non-communicable diseases at an appropriate occasion for the purpose of improving public health and living standard of local residents, reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases and promoting social harmony;
3.1.6 Strengthen cooperation in the areas of health promotion and the promotion of healthy cities and sustainable sanitation management;
3.1.7 Continue to cooperate in training of health professionals; and
3.1.8 Promote academic exchanges and cooperation on mental health.
3.2 Cooperation in Science and Technology
3.2.1 Promote exchanges and practical cooperation in science and technology through ASEAN-China Joint Science and Technology Committee and ASEAN Plus Three Directors-General Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation;
3.2.2 Consider developing a specific plan on scientific and technological cooperation including technology transfer and exchanges;
3.2.3 Hold training courses on applicable technologies for technicians and management staff of ASEAN Member States;
3.2.4 Continue to hold Science and Technology Exhibitions which would serve as platforms for technology transfer to ASEAN and promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements including the Advanced Rural Appropriate Technology and High-tech Exhibition under ASEAN-China Expo as well as the ASEAN Science and Technology Week; and
3.2.5 Convene workshops, joint research and other mutually agreed activities with ASEAN and implement cooperation and exchanges on issues of common concern, such as energy, environmental protection, climate change, communicable diseases prevention and treatment, disaster prevention and traditional medicine.
3.3 Cooperation in Education
3.3.1 Increase visits of high-level educational authorities. Make good use of the ASEAN-China Education Exchange Week to conduct comprehensive, multi-level and wide ranging exchanges and cooperation;
3.3.2 Continue to promote student mobility and increase the number of Chinese Government scholarships to ASEAN Member States, and encourage mutual recognition of academic degrees, and support China’s initiative on “Double 100,000 Goal of Students Mobility in 2020”, where appropriate;
3.3.3 Continue to deepen practical cooperation between secondary and tertiary institutions with emphasis on talent cultivation, student mobility, mutual recognition of academic credits, joint research and language teaching, where appropriate;
3.3.4 Continue to promote youth exchanges in the fields of languages, culture, art and heritage with a view to enhancing mutual understanding and further deepen friendship;
3.3.5 Continue to hold various short-term training at different levels and offer scholarships in MPA and Master’s programs in diplomacy/international studies to study in China for senior administrative staff of ASEAN Member States;
3.3.6 Promote academic exchanges and encourage the co-hosting of academic conferences, offering courses on languages, cultures, arts and heritage, politics and economics of ASEAN Member States and China, enhancing national condition and policy study and advocating joint efforts to offer post-graduate degrees in these areas; and
3.3.7 Encourage effective bilateral cooperation policies, objectives and measures to deepen academic collaboration among universities and intellectuals and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two parties.
3.4 Cooperation in Culture
3.4.1 Continue to enhance policy communication and exchanges among authorities in charge of culture;
3.4.2 Implement the ASEAN-China MOU on Cultural Cooperation and Interaction Programme of Cultural Industry between ASEAN and China;
3.4.3 Conduct active exchanges and cooperation in literature, performing arts, visual arts, art education and cultural industry;
3.4.4 Encourage and support cooperation between departments of historical relics, archaeology and cultural heritage preservation, museums, archives, libraries, and cultural institutes;
3.4.5 Cooperate to explore markets for cultural products and vigorously develop cultural industry;
3.4.6 Support each other in hosting high-profile traditional cultural and art events;
3.4.7 Jointly preserve and promote national and traditional festivals as well as encourage and support exchanges and cooperation in traditional games and sports;
3.4.8 Continue to hold ASEAN-China Cultural Industry Forum;
3.4.9 Strengthen cooperation on human resource development and training in the cultural field, including through the exchange of experiences on the hosting of large scale activities; and
3.4.10 Promote exchange of experts and expertise in culture, art and heritage.
3.5 Cooperation in Human Resource and Social Security
3.5.1 Implement human resources development plan as announced by the Leaders of the two parties, conduct training for civil servants and encourage exchange of experiences and joint cooperation in human resources market building, labour market information, technology development, labour law and regulations and social security policies through workshops and training courses;
3.5.2 Continue to strengthen policy exchanges, dialogue and technical cooperation through ASEAN Plus Three Labour Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM+3);
3.5.3 Encourage different sectors, private enterprises included, to participate in human resources development and exchanges;
3.5.4 Explore ways to establish social welfare and protection cooperation mechanism between ASEAN and China and expand exchanges of policy, information and experiences in social welfare and protection. Support comparative study on welfare and protection policy by experts and researchers;
3.5.5 Strengthen cooperation on social welfare, especially on the welfare of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women and children; and
3.5.6 Continue to strengthen policy exchanges, dialogue and technical cooperation through ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development.
3.6 Cooperation in Poverty Reduction
3.6.1 Strengthen cooperation on poverty reduction and establish a mechanism of routine contacts and policy consultations among competent authorities and continue to hold the ASEAN-China Social Development and Poverty Reduction Forum;
3.6.2 Continue to hold a series of seminars on poverty reduction policy and practices and offer academic degree in education on poverty reduction and development for ASEAN Member States, strengthen cooperation on human resources development in this area;
3.6.3 Facilitate poverty reduction authorities to establish cooperation through mutual visits of personnel, knowledge sharing, information exchanges and joint study; and
3.6.4 Render policy consultations and technical support and participate in the design of poverty reduction projects and formulation of national poverty reduction strategies in accordance with the needs of ASEAN Member States.
3.7 Environmental Cooperation
3.7.1 Implement the China-ASEAN Strategy on Environmental Protection Cooperation 2009-2015 and jointly develop the ASEAN-China Environmental Protection Action Plan at an appropriate time;
3.7.2 Support the work of the ASEAN-China Environmental Cooperation Centre to promote environmental cooperation as outlined in the ASEAN-China Strategy on Environmental Protection Cooperation 2009-2015;
3.7.3 Strengthen exchange and cooperation on environmentally sound industry, including cooperation on environmentally sound technologies, environmental labeling and cleaner production, to support ASEAN and China’s endeavor in pursuing green and environmentally sustainable development;
3.7.4 Strengthen dialogue and exchanges in urban and rural environmental protection and implement demonstration projects on cooperation in urban and rural environment to improve living environmental quality in the region;
3.7.5 Enhance public environmental awareness and environmental education cooperation among capacity building organisations on environment through exchanges and cooperation, including gender perspectives, in the management and conservation of the environment as well as the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan 2008-2015 (AEEAP);
3.7.6 Carry out joint-training courses, joint researches, staff exchange programmes and post-graduate scholarship programmes to enhance capacity and raise the level of regional environmental management;
3.7.7 Carry out cooperation in co-beneficial areas such as study/research, capacity building and experience sharing in the field of air and water quality management, and health protection;
3.7.8 Promote cooperation on environmental protection with the objective of attaining environmental sustainability as contained in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint; and
3.7.9 Establish the ASEAN-China Environmental Ministerial Meeting mechanism at an appropriate time.
3.8 Cooperation in Media
3.8.1 Continue to strengthen policy communication and dialogue through the ASEAN-China Ministers Responsible for Information Meeting;
3.8.2 Organise exchange visits for journalists reporting on special topics with a view to constantly improving reporting coverage and depth;
3.8.3 Promote mutual visits and exchanges of journalists and strengthen cooperation in news reporting;
3.8.4 Strengthen cooperation on news network;
3.8.5 Explore ways to co-host film and TV festivals in ASEAN and China;
3.8.6 Cooperate in making films, production, and marketing of TV programmes, including encouraging and facilitating industry co-productions of film and TV programmes, and promote exchanges of programmes;
3.8.7 Encourage participation in key films, TV and music festivals and/or trade events in ASEAN and China;
3.8.8 Conduct training for technicians and professionals in the TV and broadcasting sectors of ASEAN Member States; and
3.8.9 Engage and encourage the mainstream media to promote a positive international image of ASEAN-China relations.
3.9 Cooperation in Disaster Management
3.9.1 Explore the possibility of establishing an ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultations mechanism on Disaster Management to strengthen information and sharing of experiences in disaster risk reduction, relief and rehabilitation;
3.9.2 Step up training for disaster risk reduction, relief and rehabilitation and improve hardware and software infrastructure on disaster management through projects and exchanges involving experts;
3.9.3 Explore the feasibility of an ASEAN-China Cooperation Agreement on Disaster Reduction and Relief, taking into account the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Relief (AADMER), at an appropriate time; and
3.9.4 Promote capacity building on Emergency Medical Service (EMS), through information sharing, exchanging experiences and knowledge and providing workshops and training courses on EMS administration and support, among others.
3.10 Local Government Cooperation and People-to-People Exchanges
3.10.1 Promote exchanges of experience between provincial and local governments;
3.10.2 Promote exchange programmes for women at all levels, including the following:
• Convene the ASEAN-China Women Forum at an appropriate time;
• Continue to support women’s organizations in ASEAN Member States to promote women’s development;
• Encourage to use ASEAN-China Women’s Training Centre to convene training courses on ASEAN gender equality and role of women in development;
• Engage the ASEAN Ladies Circle in Beijing to promote friendship activities; and
• Explore ways to cooperate with the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW).
3.10.3 Promote exchange programmes for youth, including the following:
• Continue to support the implementation of the Beijing Declaration of the Ministers Responsible for Youth of ASEAN and China on ASEAN-China Cooperation on Youth;
• Enhance policy dialogue and exchanges through ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Youth Affairs;
• Continue to convene the ASEAN-China Youth Camp and the ASEAN-China Youth Civil Servants Exchanges;
• Continue to hold the Lancang-Mekong Youth Friendship Exchanges;
• Facilitate and encourage the ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneurs’ Association to become a prominent entity and promote exchanges of young entrepreneurs;
• Continue to hold training courses for ASEAN young leaders;
• Continue to send young Chinese volunteers to ASEAN Member States.
3.10.4 Promote cooperation in elderly persons affairs, including the following:
• Strengthen cooperation on elderly people-related affairs and promote information exchanges and share experiences on ageing of population and work together to explore measures for strengthening family support to the elderly and old-age services;
• Enhance exchanges and cooperation among officials as well as promote the trainings for professionals and non-governmental organisations involved in elderly people-related affairs; and
• Encourage mutual visits among elderly people between ASEAN Member States and China and promote culture exchanges.
3.10.5 Promote cooperation among People-to-People Friendship Organisations, including the following:
• Continue to hold the Conference on ASEAN-China People-to-People Friendship Organisations and related activities; and
• Continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation among friendship organisations between the two parties.
4. Cooperation on International and Regional Affairs
4.1 East Asia Cooperation
4.1.1 Continue to support ASEAN’s centrality in regional processes;
4.1.2 Remain engaged in discussion and continue coordination on regional architecture;
4.1.3 Continue to support ASEAN Plus Three cooperation as a main vehicle to realise the long-term objective of establishing an East Asian community with ASEAN as the driving force. Strengthen ASEAN Plus Three cooperation in food, energy and environmental protection. Fully utilise the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Fund and support the lead shepherds in various areas of ASEAN Plus Three cooperation;
4.1.4 Support the unique role of the Leader-led EAS and exchange views on important issues such as international financial institution reform, food security, energy security, disaster management, climate change, education, culture and human resources development. Support EAS to remain as an open, transparent and inclusive forum; and
4.1.5 Cooperate to promote common interests in East Asia and cope with common challenges through East Asia Forum, Network of East Asia Think Tanks (NEAT) and other mechanisms.
4.2 Inter-regional Cooperation
4.2.1 Continue to maintain close coordination and cooperation in the ARF, APEC and ASEM;
4.2.2 Actively promote the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) process; and
4.2.3 Further promote dialogue and mechanism in South-South Cooperation such as the G-77 and China, as well as other inter-regional frameworks such as the Forum of East Asia and Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) and New Asian-African Strategic Partnership.
4.3 Cooperation in the UN
4.3.1 Continue to enhance cooperation at the United Nations on issues of mutual interest and common concern, inter alia, UN reform, matters affecting international peace and security, counter-terrorism, climate change and development agenda; and
4.3.2 Enhance closer communication and coordination between the Permanent Representatives of ASEAN Member States and China at the UN.
4.4 Cooperation within Other International Organisations
4.4.1 Strengthen coordination and cooperation on G20-related matters, including supporting the continued participation of the ASEAN Chair in future G-20 Summits and, where appropriate, its related Meetings;
4.4.2 Cooperate to move forward the Doha Development Agenda negotiations based on the progress already made, towards an early and successful conclusion, whereby the needs and interests of developing countries are fully taken into consideration; and
4.4.3 Support the accession of Lao PDR to the WTO at the earliest possible time.
B. Funding
1. The activities mentioned in this Plan of Action will mainly be funded by the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF) and other funding sources from ASEAN and China.
2. Make use of ASEAN-China Investment Cooperation Fund and USD $15 billion credit provided by China to ASEAN Member States to support cooperation in infrastructure, energy and natural resources, ICT and relevant activities.
3. Encourage international financial institutions/agencies, development partners and their respective private sectors to participate in the implementation of major projects of interest to them under this Plan of Action.
4. Continue to strengthen existing funding mechanisms and look into providing requisite resources in accordance with their respective capacities as well as to explore strategies to effectively and innovatively mobilise resources to ensure the effective implementation of this Plan of Action.
C. Institutional Arrangements
1. Concerned sectoral bodies in ASEAN and agencies in China will jointly draw up specific work programmes/projects to implement the various actions and measures as outlined in this Plan of Action with the assistance of the ASEAN Secretariat.
2. China will provide technical support to the ASEAN Secretariat in order to coordinate and implement this Plan of Action.
3. Regular review of this Plan of Action will be conducted through existing mechanisms, such as the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on various fields, ASEAN-China SOC, and ASEAN-China JCC to ensure that the Plan of Action remains relevant to the needs and priorities of the ASEAN-China dialogue relations and to incorporate new and urgent areas of cooperation given the dynamic regional and international environment.
4. Upon completion of this Plan of Action, the ASEAN-China JCC under the supervision of the ASEAN-China SOC will prepare a new five-year Plan of Action for the consideration and adoption by the ASEAN-China Summit through the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting.