Chronology of Events: April 2022 to June 2022

Abstract

Chronology of Events:April 2022 to June 2022 Chen Juan (bio) Resources for China–ASEAN Relations 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 CHINA–ASEAN RELATIONS APRIL 2022 TO JUNE 2022: CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS APRIL 2022 1st Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin upon invitation visits Tunxi in ChinaJs Anhui province and meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Myanmar side has expressed concerns over domestic economic difficulties. Wang suggests advancing poverty alleviation projects, starting with a batch of "small yet smart" livelihood projects. Both sides jointly inaugurate the Consulate General of Myanmar in Chongqing and exchange cooperation documents in areas such as economics, technology and agriculture. Both sides also exchange views on the South China Sea issue and the Rakhine State issue. 2nd Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai visits Tunxi and holds talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The former expresses hope to expand cooperation in agricultural trade and connectivity, industrial and supply chains security, and sustainable development. Wang proposes that both sides explore conducting pilot and demonstration projects on industrial parks in Thailand. Both foreign ministers also exchange their views on the Ukraine issue. Wang briefly summarises for Pramudwinai Chinese President Xi Jinping's opinions delivered to European Union leaders on the Ukraine crisis. 3rd Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin visits and meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tunxi. They discuss the South China Sea issue, and Wang emphasises the need to eliminate interference and to properly manage differences between the Philippines and China. The Philippines side has agreed to strengthen communications. Both sides have also exchanged views on issues in Myanmar and Ukraine. 5th The 23rd ASEAN–China Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting, held online, reaffirms ASEAN's and China's commitment to further strengthen their partnership and cooperation in line with the ASEAN–China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021. Both sides discuss the follow-up to the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership, such as enhancing cooperation in trade and investment through the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area and implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. They also update the substantive progress of the ASEAN–China Plan of Action 2021–25 in cooperation in these areas such as trade and investment, digital economy, connectivity including air connectivity, clean energy and environmental protection. 8th Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping have a telephone conversation and they officially inaugurate the Binondo–Intramuros Bridge, which is the second bridge funded by China under Duterte's "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure programme. Built at a cost of US$105.6 million, the bridge connects two busy districts in Manila city across the Pasig River and it aims to ease daily traffic congestion, catering for a daily traffic volume of 30,000 motorists. Both sides have also agreed to further enhance bilateral trade and investments, jointly address the impact of climate change and promote collaboration in the pandemic response. 14th Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speak over the telephone. Both foreign ministers share their views on the South China Sea and the consultations of the three maritime working groups of both sides. They have expressed hope to see substantive progress and advancement of maritime delimitation in the sea area outside the mouth of Gulf of Tonkin (or Beibu Gulf). They also exchange views on the Ukraine issue. 26th Malaysia's Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the People's government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China jointly organise an inaugural online investment forum. The objective of the forum is to promote investment and business opportunities in the Malaysia–China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) and the China–Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (CMQIP). The forum is also part of a series of events to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the CMQIP. Companies from both sides have signed 11 memoranda of understanding for future projects...