IN FOCUS
By Dincy Adlakha

China, ASEAN, and the 6-point cooperation path at ASEAN Summit

On 26 October, ASEAN inaugurated a series of important and related summits with Brunei as chair. The Chinese Premier Li Keqiang virtually addressed the 24th China-ASEAN summit as part of the important summits. As 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue, he called for greater unity and cooperation in the South China Sea to avoid conflicts and promote regional development. His speech highlighted six areas of potential China-ASEAN cooperation.

A line of defense for health
Premier Li noted the resurgence of COVID-19 worldwide and stressed on the need for regional vaccine production and distribution. He hoped that China-ASEAN Program on Public Health Management implements the specific needs of an post-COVID era. He also proposed to establish a China-ASEAN Public Health Research and Development Collaborating Center to bridge the gap between technology and public health.

Deeper economic integration
In his speech, Premier Li urged ASEAN countries to greatly collaborate with China through Free Trade Agreements and digital economy partnerships. He also underlined the benefits of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its role in boosting the clogged global supply chains. He listed the export-import fairs of China and ASEAN as a crucial source of economic integration and seemed hopeful for further cooperation through Comprehensive and progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Promotion of inclusive development
Premier Li pinned that only an inclusive approach to development can uplift the region from COVID loss. The ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and the joint statements released by China and ASEAN in the matter indicate a push for inclusive growth. He maintained that Blue Economy, BRI, Disaster Risk Reduction, Emergency Management are areas that inclusive cooperation could achieve heights.

Innovation-driven approach to development
According to Premier Li, innovation is essential for accelerating development, commercialization, and quality. Apart from Big Data and Remote Sensing applications, he emphasized the need to finalize a Plan of Action on a Closer Partnership of Science, Technology and Innovation for the Future from both sides.

Expansion of green cooperation
He found that China-ASEAN partnership is not only important for regional ecology but also the global fight against climate change. Thus he earmarked the need to implement the Framework of China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025. He also focused on China-ASEAN cooperation on Clean Energy Capacity Building Programme and facilitation of faster technology transfer.

Popular support as foundation
The Premier maintained that for China-ASEAN partnership to flourish, popular support from the public for the same is essential. Hence, people-to-people contact should be enhanced. One crucial method of the same is ASEAN students studying in China. China-ASEAN Young Leaders Scholarship and China-ASEAN Education Week Cooperation will help practically boost this connection.

In essence, the speech encouraged greater China-ASEAN cooperation and also opened ways for furthering the relations as good neighbours. The emphasis on regional peace and stability was heightened and potential agenda for upcoming talks between China and ASEAN were hinted at through the address.

References
“Full text: Speech by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the 24th China-ASEAN Summit,” Xinhua Net, 27 October 2021
Zhao Yusha and Yan Yuzhu, “Premier Li calls for closer cooperation on SCS, economy with ASEAN,” Global Times, 26 October 2021

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Keerthana Nambiar

INTERNAL
Chinese government releases white paper on the country’s efforts to deal with climate change
On 27 October, the Chinese government released a white paper titled “Responding to Climate Change: China's Policies and Actions." It showcases China’s shift in policies, new actions and progress in dealing with climate change. The white paper said: “China is committed to building a global climate governance system that is fair, rational, cooperative and beneficial to all, and makes its due contribution to tackling climate change using its greatest strengths and most effective solutions.” The paper shed light on the recent changes in the government’s outlook towards environment conservation and reducing carbon emissions such as redrawing lines to identify protected areas, identifying ecological values of different land resources, reducing the dependency on coal-fired power plants, discouraging uneven development of projects that consume high energy and more. (“White paper elaborates on China's policies, initiatives in tackling climate change,” Xinhua Net, 27 October 2021)

REGIONAL
Taiwan confirms US military presence in island
On 28 October, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen stated in an interview with CNN that US military troops are present in Taiwan. According to a Global Times report, she is the first leader from Taiwan to confirm US military presence. A Taiwan-based pro-reunification former lawmaker said that Tsai has stepped on the red line by violating the Anti-Secession Law and defying one-China principle. She will bear consequences from the mainland. Other trusted experts of Global Times said that US military “assistance” does not alter the asymmetry of military capabilities between Chinese mainland and Taiwan. Tensions over Taiwan have broiled greatly over the past few months. PLA aircraft incursions and strong statements from both sides are noted often. (“Tsai confirms US military presence in Taiwan, ‘to face consequences for breaking red line’,” Global Times, 28 October 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
China and Russia oppose Japan’s anti-nuke resolution to be adopted by the UN panel
On 27 October, the UN committee adopted a Japan-sponsored draft resolution calling in for the total elimination of nuclear arms, prompting a divided response from five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Four members including China and Russia opposed the resolution, 30 members abstained, while the other 152 countries voted in favor. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said, “This resolution, as one of the concrete measures to realize a world without nuclear weapons, provides common ground with which all states can work together and thereby bridges the gap between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states.” The draft resolution is expected to be formally adopted at the UN General Assembly. (“U.N. panel adopts Japan's anti-nuke resolution, China, Russia oppose,” Kyodo News, 28 October 2021)

Chinese Foreign minister calls for more support to help Afghanistan
On 28 October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the Work Bank and International Monetary Fund to help Afghanistan with financial support for reconstruction. Wang Yi said, “Afghanistan is in need of revival on all fronts, and development is the top priority.” China has declared it will send $30 million worth of emergency humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. He also called on the US and other Western countries to lift the unilateral sanctions which would further worsen the economy. He added that the World Health Organization must provide more vaccines and medical supplies to fight COVID-19 in Afghanistan. (“China urges World Bank, IMF to help Afghanistan,” Reuters, 28 October 2021)

China’s distrust on Moon Jae-in and South Korean inconsistencies
On 28 October, The Korea Times published an editorial on the Chinese perspective on Moon Jae-in detailing THAAD and the inconsistencies between Beijing and Seoul. The editorial discusses Seoul’s relation with Beijing when South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s term comes to an end. Moon is the most popular South Korean leader to be “pro-China” even though Chinese President Xi Jinping has never visited South Korea despite repeated invitations. The writer extensively explains THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) as the friction point between the bilateral relations of China and South Korea. The mixed signals from Seoul’s side frustrate the Chinese side creating trust issues. China’s distrust towards South Korea deepened after the summit between Moon and Biden. (“Chinese perspective on Moon Jae-in: THAAD and inconsistent messaging,” The Korea Times, 28 October 2021)

Foreign Ministry warns the Czech Republic against expanding cooperation with Taiwan
On 27 October, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian cautioned the Czech Republic against inviting the Taiwanese external affairs minister for a visit and threatened the country with dire consequences if the necessary changes were not carried out. Lijian said: “The despicable act of some people from the Czech Republic is doomed to fail. We advise them to change course as soon as possible, otherwise they will suffer the consequences." He also warned Taiwan against encouraging the “Taiwan Independence” movement and separatist movements in the country. (“Some people from Czech Republic will suffer consequences if they don’t change: Chinese FM said on Taiwan DPP official’s visit,” Global Times, 27 October 2021)

Chinese Foreign Ministry warns the US against worsening China-US relations 
On 27 October, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian and the Chinese Ambassador to the US expressed their discontent and registered their representations to the US and urged the country to follow the One-China principle when dealing with issues of international importance. The Chinese delegation reiterated that the principle does not allow the US to unilaterally challenge or change the “widely recognized consensus.” While addressing a press conference, Lijian observed that if the US continued to create obstacles for China, it would seriously risk the China-US relations and make matters difficult in the Taiwan strait. (“US risks jeopardizing improving ties with China with Blinken’s Taiwan remarks," Global Times, 27 October 2021)