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What is the news?
China is hosting ASEAN foreign ministers meeting this year. This year (2021) also marks the 30th anniversary of the dialogue relations between China and the 10-member ASEAN countries. Association of Southeast Asian Nations
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Key Focus of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting:
The meeting will focus on
- Combating COVID-19
- Promoting economic recovery
- Discussing the proposal of vaccine passport connecting China and ASEAN countries
Significance of this ASEAN foreign ministers meeting:
- This meeting comes in the backdrop of China criticizing the Quad (India, Australia, Japan and the United States grouping) during recent visits to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
- China’s Defence Minister has called on both countries to reject “military alliances” — a term that China is using to describe the Quad but a label that the Quad group rejects.
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China and ASEAN Cooperation:
- China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) countries established a strategic partnership in 2005.
- China-ASEAN free trade zone was formally established in the year 2010.
- China and ASEAN countries are a part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal.
- China has been ASEAN’s largest trade partner for 12 consecutive years. On the other hand, ASEAN became China’s largest trade partner in 2020.
- China has pledged to deliver 100 million doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to ASEAN nations. Apart from that, China will also provide other pandemic-fighting materials and technical help to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in ASEAN Countries.
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About ASEAN:
- ASEAN is a regional grouping that was established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
- Members: Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos.
- Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia.
Source: The Hindu
