Philippine SOM Leader for ASEAN shares insights on advancing ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations at the first Jakarta Forum in 2021
Clockwise, from top-left: ASEAN SOM Leader of the Philippines Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Foreign Affairs of China Vice Minister Luo Zhaohui, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Noel Servigon, and a group photo of the panelists, speakers, and guests. (Jakarta PM photo)
JAKARTA 11 March 2021 – Philippine Senior Official for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso delivered a keynote speech during the First Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations in 2021 on 09 March 2021, commemorating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.
Acting Undersecretary Buensuceso highlighted that ASEAN and China can effectively take its partnership to a higher level by setting a clear direction to achieve shared interests, managing differences peacefully, cooperating in public health security, undertaking closer economic cooperation and collaboration in science and technology, and addressing transnational challenges such as climate change.
“The Philippines, throughout its country coordinatorship of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations has been working earnestly with China in filling in that room to advance our partnership,” said Acting Undersecretary Buensuceso.
The Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Ambassador Noel Servigon delivered the opening remarks, highlighting that the past, present, and future accomplishments of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations are put together layer by layer over a foundation built over time, particularly through enhancing mutual trust and confidence. Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Deng Xijun also delivered his opening remarks.
A diverse set of speakers and experts from the academe, think tanks, and diplomats such as former ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong, and Ambassador Xu Bu, former Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, shared their frank views evaluating the partnership between ASEAN and China over the past 30 years, prospects for the elevation of ASEAN-China partnership, and the way forward on how to get there.
A common thread that tied the majority together was the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, and the settlement of disputes through international law, including through the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, the Mission of China to ASEAN, and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Indonesia, organized the First Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations in 2021 to launch the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.
The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN and the Mission of China to ASEAN will continue to organize more activities in celebration of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in 2021. END