Philippines Joins 30th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultations, Underscores Socio-Cultural Cooperation
JAKARTA 15 May 2024 - Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro highlighted recent developments in ASEAN-China cooperation under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillar as she led the Philippine delegation to the 30th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation (ACSOC) on 10 May 2024.
Noting in particular the designation of 2024 as the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges (ACYPPE), Undersecretary Lazaro identified the emergent needs of the aging population as a possible area of cooperation between ASEAN and China, through exchanges of best practices.
The Undersecretary also highlighted the development of sustainable tourism and green agriculture as among priorities in ASEAN-China socio-cultural cooperation.
The 30th ACSOC provided an opportunity to review developments in ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, as well as an exchange of views on regional and international issues. The meeting also heard updates on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
On behalf of China, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong shared proposals for further cooperation covering such areas as defense, trade, agriculture, digital economy, energy, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
ASEAN and China have progressively advanced from officially establishing Dialogue Relations in 1996 to a Strategic Partnership in 2003 and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023. END