SOUTH-EAST ASIA (Bernama): Asean reaffirms its partnership with China and expresses strong interest in exploring new opportunities for collaboration.
Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign, Affairs Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, led the Malaysian delegation to the 31st Asean-China Senior Officials’ Consultation (ACSOC) in Ningbo, China, from February 12 to 14.
This marked the first ACSOC meeting since Malaysia assumed the role of Country Coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations in July 2024, with Malaysia and China co-chairing the ACSOC.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry emphasised Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair and Country Coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations, commending the continued strengthening of Asean-China ties over the years.
The statement further noted Malaysia’s call for enhanced collaboration between ASEAN and China in emerging sectors such as new technologies, innovation, and digital transformation, particularly through AI, fintech, and e-commerce.
"Malaysia also acknowledged the ongoing efforts by Asean and China in advancing their partnership under the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
"Malaysia is pleased with the substantial conclusion of the ACFTA 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations, which include new areas of growth such as the digital economy, green economy, and supply chain connectivity,” the statement read.
This is a significant milestone for post-Covid-19 recovery and a response to global challenges, it added.
The ACSOC serves as an important diplomatic platform for senior officials from Asean Member States and China to manage and strengthen Asean-China Dialogue Relations. During the 31st ACSOC, discussions focused on enhancing collaboration and activities under the Asean-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with exchanges on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Malaysia also called for increased cooperation through the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and China framework, aiming to further boost economic growth in the region.
"As Asean Chair for 2025, Malaysia took the opportunity to brief the meeting on its chairmanship’s priorities and key deliverables,” the statement read.
Additionally, Malaysia expressed appreciation to China for its active role and strong support for Palestine, reaffirming Malaysia’s support for Palestinian self-determination. Malaysia reiterated its call for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on pre-1967 borders.
During his visit to Ningbo for the 31st ACSOC, Amran spoke in an interview with Ningbo Daily, broadcast on Ningbo TV.
He highlighted Malaysia’s efforts to foster trade expansion with Ningbo, a major port and industrial city in Zhejiang province, China. He noted that bilateral trade between ASEAN and Ningbo reached US$30 billion in 2024.
"It is a very significant trade figure. We have been making efforts to encourage the expansion of trade relations between Malaysia and Ningbo," he said.
Amran also discussed the strong partnership between Malaysia's Port Klang and Ningbo Port, established in 2004. He praised the continued growth in cooperation between these two major maritime hubs.
"We have seen very active trading between the two ports. The development of Ningbo City and the strategic growth of Ningbo Port are impressive. They have successfully integrated the latest technology, with full automation, particularly in the cargo port,” Amran remarked.
"That’s why I believe Ningbo Port has become the number one cargo port in the world. There are many lessons Malaysia can learn from Ningbo City and China in adopting the latest technology.
"The connection between our ports remains strong, and I am certain that Malaysia's port authorities, including those from Port Klang, Penang Port, and Kuantan Port, have been actively engaging with their counterparts, including Ningbo Port.
"We look forward to positive responses from both the government and private sectors to take advantage of this,” he added. - Bernama
