Phnom Penh: Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has expressed his support for upgrading ASEAN-China ties to what the association calls a “comprehensive strategic partnership”. He voiced his backing for the move during Tuesday’s virtual ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China. He underlined the need to ensure that cross-border trade and supply chains remain unimpeded, to take full advantage from the upgrading of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Foreign Minister Sokhonn also emphasized the importance of enhancing the implementation of the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Synergizing the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative. The ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China hailed the achievements of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and applauded the fruitful outcomes of the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting conducted back in June.

ASEAN member states have expressed their gratitude to China for its extensive regional support in the fight against Covid-19, most especially the production and distribution of vaccines and medical supplies. Both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region. The issue of the South China Sea was also mentioned, with all parties stressing the importance of the implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and welcomed the resumption of negotiations towards its early conclusion.

While upgrading its relationship with China, ASEAN has also approved the raising of relations with the UK to official “dialogue partner” status, which will further strengthen relations between ASEAN and the UK, which has expressed a keen desire to contribute more to socio-economic development across the region.