At the online meeting (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) - Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN, attended the 22nd meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint CooperationCommittee (ACJCC) via videoconference on March 5.
Speaking in his capacity as Chair of the Initiativefor ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force, Bang welcomed China’s activeparticipation in projects within the IAI framework.
He suggested it continue supporting the IAI Work PlanIV with new and practical projects in the five strategic areas of food andagriculture, trade facilitation, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises,education, and healthcare.
The Chinese side hailed its relationship with ASEAN asan outstanding model for Asia-Pacific cooperation, adding that it considersASEAN a top priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and supports the bloc in communitybuilding and the strengthening of its central role in the ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚregionalarchitec✤ture.
Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN (Photo: VNA)
It committed to assist ASEAN in implementing the ASEANComprehensive Recovery Framework, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025,and the IAI’s Work Plan IV for 2021-2025.
Apart from the 1 million USD it committed to the ASEANCOVID-19 Response Fund, China pledged to donate 5 million USD to the ASEAN-ChinaCommunity Medical Cooperation Initiative, considering it a highlight projectwithin the framework of the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF).
ASEAN member states spoke highly of China’scontributions over recent years and hoped that both sides would enhance theircooperation to realise the ASEAN-China Plan of Action for 2021-2025, approvedduring Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020, which is considered a lodestarfor bilateral cooperation in the immediate future.
ASEAN and China designated 2021 as the Year ofSustainable Development Cooperation.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary ofbilateral ties (1991-2021), China proposed nearly 40 activities covering ASEAN’s threepillars of politics-security, economy, and socio-culture.
The 23rd meeting of the AJCCC is scheduledfor 20💖22./.
