Asean-China relations: Thirty years on and beyond

THE new year dawns amid changes unseen in a century, including the Covid-19 pandemic in particular. It will be a milestone year for China and Asean, as they usher in the 30th anniversary of China-Asean dialogue relations.

A review of the 30 years shows an extraordinary journey defined by tremendous progress. In 1991, China and Asean initiated the dialogue process marked by the attendance of then-foreign minister Qian Qichen at the opening ceremony of the 24th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.