China and ASEAN are natural partners. Since 1991, China and Southeast Asian countries, as well as ASEAN, have established a firm and good friendship. Our cooperation in various fields has achieved great success over decades. Without a doubt, China-ASEAN relations have become a fine example of China`s neighborly diplomacy.

The cooperation between China and ASEAN has more and more strategic implications as they are both important players in the region. To further enhance the relationship and guide regional development against the backdrop of global and regional transformation, China and ASEAN should concentrate on the following cooperation:

Firstly, the two sides need more policy coordination. At present, there are three important strategic issues faced by China and ASEAN – cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), maritime issues and the changing power structure in the region. For each  issue, China and ASEAN need more communication and consultation generally and specifically. 

Otherwise, ASEAN countries will become more cautious and careful in pushing forward relations with China. Different channels exist for bilateral and multilateral discussion and communication between the two sides. For instance, the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting is one channel. To enhance mutual trust and strategic communication, China and ASEAN countries should focus on strategic and security dialogue, trade and investment policy coordination, defense cooperation, and discussions on how to deal with the maritime dispute. 

The four kinds of dialogue or discussion are necessary at different levels, from top leaders to ministers and scholars. It is very essential for China and ASEAN to further understand each other, to implement pragmatic cooperation based upon their separate needs, and to strengthen collaboration to maintain a strategic balance in the region.

Secondly, China and ASEAN need to share and carry forward common values in international relations. Though different in culture and religion, China and ASEAN share similar values in international relations. For example, China and Southeast Asian countries have historically advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and Bandung Spirits. Now ASEAN has its ASEAN Way, which is characterized by an informal and personal approach that aims at conflict prevention, and by non-interference in internal affairs and discussions to reach consensus. 

This is quite similar to Chinese culture, which emphasizes harmony but not sameness. Chinese people treasure harmonious relations and believe peace and harmony is most precious. In fact, both China and ASEAN cherish peace. That`s why we are peaceful although China and some ASEAN countries have sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. 

In the coming years, China and ASEAN nations should strengthen soft power cooperation by collaborating to share and carry forward common values. We are able to play a constructive role in guiding the development of a regional culture based on peace and harmony instead of the mindset of the Cold War and geopolitical game.

Lastly, both China and ASEAN need to make their cooperation beneficial to local people. Now, economic relations between China and ASEAN countries are very strong. Trade volume reached more than 500 billion US dollars in 2017. More and more Chinese investment flows into Southeast Asia, and Singapore has become a major investment country in China. In the years to come, China and ASEAN countries should shift the cooperation priority from the economy to society, making it beneficial to locals. 

The two sides need to put more investment in programs on people`s livelihoods like creating more job opportunities, youth training and education, health and medical care, water resource and environmental protection and so on. These programs will help common people receive tangible benefits and consolidate the foundation for China-ASEAN strategic cooperation.

China and ASEAN are now on the way to building a community of a shared future for all humankind. The cooperation mentioned above is very vital for both sides to realize the goal. 

We are confident that China and ASEAN can further take the relationship to a higher level and overcome jointly the difficulties they both face.