KUALA LUMPUR: Asean-China trade reached a total of US$772.2bil (RM3.24 trillion) last year and the South-East Asian regional grouping is committed to strengthening ties, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said China remains Asean’s largest trading partner amid an increasingly complex global environment.
“Asean remains fully committed to strengthening ties through effective communication of key agreements such as the China-Asean Free Trade Area (FTA) and other important regional cooperation frameworks,” he said in his opening remarks at the 24th Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting with China’s Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) on Wednesday (Sept 24).
Tengku Zafrul also said that as the global environment becomes increasingly complex, it is important that Asean and China continue to uphold principles of openness, inclusivity and multilateralism.
“These principles are pivotal to ensuring that our partnership remains relevant, resilient and forward-looking,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul also said a special AEM-Mofcom consultation was held in May, where both groups reaffirmed their commitment to addressing trade concerns and resolving differences through consultation.
“We also concurred on leveraging Asean-China trade and economic cooperation to address uncertain disruptions,” he added.
China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Yan Dong, said China offers its full support to Malaysia as Asean chair this year.
Yang said he is confident that Malaysia, as chair, will maintain Asean’s unity and centrality, and promote more open and inclusive regional economic and trade cooperation.
“I look forward to working closely with you all,” he added.
Among other meetings, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ministers’ meeting and the Asean-EU business summit, will take place this Thursday (Sept 25).
Meanwhile, a series of consultations will take place from Wednesday to Friday (Sept 24 to 26) with the United States, South Korea, Canada, India and Russia.
