On 15 January 2024, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) held a Dialogue on China’s 2023 Central Economic Work Conference for diplomatic envoys of Southeast Asian countries in China. Professor Zhang Jianping of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation and Professor Fan Ying of China Foreign Affairs University shared their in-depth views on perspectives of China’s economy in the world and ASEAN-China high-quality economic diplomacy in the context of China’s high-standard opening-up. Assistant Minister Nong Rong of Foreign Affairs of China, Ambassador Somphone Sichaleune of Lao PDR, Ambassador Pehin Dato Rahmani of Brunei, Ambassador U Tin Maung Swe of Myanmar, Ambassador Norman Bin Muhamad of Malaysia, Ambassador Jamie A. FlorCruz of the Philippines, Ambassador Maubere Lorosae da Silva Horta of Timor-Leste, Charge d’Affaires, a. i. Mr. Benjamin Sukanjanajtee of the Royal Thai Embassy, Charge d’Affaires, a. i. Ms. Nhek Soparama of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia and other diplomats from 11 Southeast Asian embassies in Beijing were invited to the event.

Secretary General Shi Zhongjun stated that the ACC has developed a practice in recent years of holding such dialogues or seminars to help diplomatic missions of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in Beijing better understand the major policies or strategies of the Chinese government, thus better strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation and exchanges between ASEAN and China in a coordinated and oriented manner. Although the current world is still facing uncertainties, ASEAN and China have always been standing out as partners of win-win cooperation and common development. The Central Economic Work Conference has outlined the path and priorities for China’s future economic growth, which will add fresh impetus and new opportunities for cooperation between ASEAN and China. Both sides should embark on a journey toward making this region a highland of development and a promising land for cooperation.

Assistant Minister Nong Rong noted that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core concept of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and it is also the “key phrase” of the new Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs held recently. The Chinese economy is now deeply integrated with the world economy. China always follows the trend of economic globalization, deepens cooperation with all countries, and promotes an open world economy. ASEAN stands for not only a priority in China's neighborhood diplomacy and a significant region in Belt and Road cooperation, but also a model for achieving common development. Going forward, China will always uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, deepen China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and build an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Ambassador Somphone, on behalf of the AMS diplomatic envoys, appreciated the ACC for hosting such activities and spoke highly of the cooperation between ASEAN and China, significantly contributing to promoting regional and global peace, stability, and development. Somphone highlighted that Lao PDR, as the rotating chair of ASEAN in 2024, stands ready to work closely with all AMS in advancing ASEAN-China cooperation in such areas as regional economic recovery, regional connectivity, trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges, deepening the coordination of the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Synergizing the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and enhancing cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) to advance the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The AMS diplomatic envoys had a lively and heated exchange of views with the experts on such issues as the new driving force of China’s economy, how to stabilize the property sector, deepening international financial cooperation, and promoting ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges.