China–Asean Relations January 2023 to March 2023: Chronology of Events

Abstract

China–Asean Relations January 2023 to March 2023: Chronology of Events Ryan Ho (bio) 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) a list of important documents. —the Editors JANUARY 2023 2nd Indonesia joins the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The entry into force of the RCEP for Indonesia is an important step towards its full implementation. Under the RCEP, on the basis of the agreements under the China–ASEAN free trade area, Indonesia has granted zero tariff treatment to over 700 additional Chinese products, including some auto parts, motorcycles, televisions, clothing, shoes, plastic products, luggage and chemical products. China’s Ministry of Commerce says that the RCEP agreement will inject new impetus into regional economic integration, regional and global economic growth, and promote regional industrial and supply chain cooperation. 4th Chinese Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council meets with the visiting Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at the Great Hall of the People. Li stresses that cooperation is key to China–Philippines bilateral relations, and that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea serves the interests of countries in the region, including China and the Philippines. Marcos also maintains that Philippines–China [End Page 214] relations are of great importance to both sides and to the Asia-Pacific region. 14th Chinese President Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong send congratulatory letters to each other for the Spring Festival. Xi comments that China and Vietnam are a community with a shared future that bears strategic significance and China regards Vietnam as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. 16th Chinese Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong holds a video meeting with the Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chatchai Viriyavejakul. Both sides agree to expand cooperation in fields such as the digital economy and scientific and technological innovation, and help Thailand promote the bio-circular-green economic model. Both sides are also keen to explore cultural cooperation and promote development of cultural programmes. FEBRUARY 2023 4th The 22nd Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers Plus Three (22nd M-ATM Plus Three), co-chaired by Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno and Japanese State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ishii Hiroo, takes place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The meeting reports that ASEAN Plus Three countries recorded a year-on-year growth in international visitor arrivals by 79.36 per cent in 2022, which also translated to an optimistic outlook for the recovery of the tourism sector in the next two to three years. The meeting also acknowledges appreciation to China, Japan and Korea for the respective support from the ASEAN–China Centre, ASEAN– Japan Centre and ASEAN-Korea Centre in strengthening people-to-people connectivity and enhancing cultural understanding through various tourism activities and projects as well as their contributions to the implementation of the ASEAN Plus Three Work Plan 2021–2025. 7th Officials from China and member economies of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat attend the first round of consultations on the Version 3.0 of the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area negotiations via video link. The two sides hold in-depth discussions on topics such as procedural rules, organisational arrangements and work plans for the negotiations, and set a timetable and roadmap for subsequent talks. 10th Chinese Premier Li Keqiang holds talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Great Hall of the People during the [End Page 215] Prime Minister’s official visit to China. Li expresses his hope that both countries will expand exchanges and cooperation in such areas as tourism and cultural heritage protection, and step up cooperation on law enforcement and security. Hun Sen thanks China for its support for Cambodia’s rotating chairmanship of ASEAN and affirms that Cambodia is ready to work with China...