Abstract

October 2016 to December 2016:Chronology of Events Ping Xiaojuan (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) important documents. —the Editors OCTOBER 2016 11th Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin delivers the keynote speech, entitled “Work Together to Improve Regional Security Architecture and Address Common Challenges”, at the first plenary session of the seventh Xiangshan Forum in Beijing. Liu urges the building of an Asia-Pacific security architecture consistent with regional conditions and the interests of all parties. He says despite the relatively mature and stable economic cooperation frameworks in the Asia-Pacific region, the fostering of a security architecture in the region is lagging behind, making it difficult to deal with growing complex security challenges in a timely and effective way. Liu outlines the five elements that the new regional security architecture should encompass, namely a new security concept, rule of law and international norms as a basis, partnerships, a comprehensive and multilayered network and common development. The Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, Fu Ying, chairs the first session which is attended by over 500 officials, experts and scholars from over 60 countries and six international organisations. 18th Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte on a four-day visit to Beijing which Xi describes as a “milestone”. A top Resources for China–ASEAN Relations Chinese official reveals that both countries are ready to move on from the South China Sea disputes, boost trade and mend ties. The visit also reflects Duterte’s efforts to engage China as he moves away from the United States, a long-time ally. Duterte announces a “separation” of the countries on two occasions during the visit. A US official however clarifies that no official request had been made to change their relationship. 19th The ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) holds a consultation on ASEAN Connectivity with dialogue partners, namely Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and the United States, to socialise the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 (MPAC 2025) and discuss possible cooperation on connectivity. The ACCC also exchanges views with the dialogue partners on ways to harness expertise, leverage resources and enhance capacity-building activities to support the operationalisation of the MPAC 2025. Latsamy Keomany, permanent representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN and ACCC chair, highlights that partnerships with dialogue partners are instrumental to the effective implementation of MPAC 2025, which will need an inclusive process that helps in defining the needs of the ASEAN and the opportunities for its peoples and partners. With the MPAC 2025 in place, ASEAN has commenced preparations in developing concepts and projects. 24th Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou meets with a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos led by Anouphab Vongnorkeo, deputy director-general of the International Organization Department of the foreign ministry. Both sides exchange views on promoting China–Laos relations and cooperation between the two foreign ministries. [End Page 234] NOVEMBER 2016 9th Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin holds the fourth working group meeting in Beijing on Lancang–Mekong Cooperation (LMC) with delegations from the five countries along the Mekong River. Liu lauds the concerted efforts of all parties for launching the LMC mechanism and arriving at important results at the first LMC Leaders’ Meeting held in March 2016 in Sanya, Hainan province. Liu reports that positive progress has been made in the implementation of the meeting’s outcomes. Liu also urges the six countries to continue their efforts in improving the LMC mechanism, accelerating the implementation of early harvest programmes, and facilitating coordinated development of the LMC and other subregional mechanisms so as to contribute to subregional development. China is willing to maintain close communication and cooperation with all parties and jointly prepare for the second LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as well as the fourth LMC Senior Officials’ Meeting to be held in Cambodia in late 2016. 10th More...

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