Asia–Europe Meeting and its Connectivity Working Group with the Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract

With the end of the Cold War and the increasing trend of the world political multipolarisation and global economic integration, Asia and Europe wish to establish a dialogue mechanism, reinforce the regional contact, and pursue a common development. In July 1994, the “Towards a New Asia Strategy” was formulated by the European Union, which proposes a more extensive dialogue with Asia, and regards the overall reinforcement of Asia–Europe relations and economic and trade cooperation as one of key contents for European all-round diplomacy and foreign economic and trade strategy. In October 1994, during a visit to France, Goh Chok Tong, Premier of Singapore, proposed to hold the Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM), which was responded to extensively and actively. In January 1996, the first Asia–Europe Cultural Forum was held in Venice, Italy. In March 1996, the first ASEM was held in Bangkok, Thailand. At this meeting, four aspects were discussed by heads from 10 Asian countries and 15 European countries: To promote Asia–Europe political dialogue; to strengthen Asia–Europe economic cooperation; to promote an exchange and cooperation in other fields such as technology, culture, and environmental protection; and subsequent action for ASEM. After a consensus was reached, the “Chairman’s Statement of the First Asia–Europe Meeting” was released, which symbolised an official start of ASEM. Under the Asia–Europe Cooperation Framework, all countries concerned will strengthen political dialogue, economic cooperation, and sociocultural exchange between Asia and Europe to enhance mutual understanding and trust, and boost the establishment of a new comprehensive Asia–Europe partnership. 1