Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State for Education and Manpower, at the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN-China Symposium on Monday, 18 Dec 2006, Meritus Mandarin Hotel

ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong
PRC Ambassador Zhang Yun
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

Good Morning

It gives me great pleasure to be here with you at the ASEAN-China Symposium to commemorate the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. First, let me extend a warm welcome to all participants attending the Symposium, especially those who have come from abroad. I hope you will have time to enjoy the festive mood right here in the heart of the city.

Since the establishment of the ASEAN-China dialogue, the relationship has broadened and deepened considerably, making it one of the most dynamic amongst ASEAN Dialogues. The 15th anniversary this year is indeed an important milestone, and marks the maturing of the partnership. A Commemorative Summit was held in Nanning in end October this year to celebrate this milestone. A Joint Statement outlining future cooperation was also released at the event as a signal of continued commitment from ASEAN and China in the development of the relationship.

The ASEAN-China relationship has been a mutually beneficial one. The emergence of China has sent shock waves throughout the world and posses a great challenge to the less competitive economies. At the same time, China is an important engine of growth for the region, and ASEAN countries have benefited from China's rapid economic growth over the past two decades. The ASEAN-China FTA, with its goods chapter already in force, is a key driver of regional integration. China is now one of the top trading partners for Singapore as well as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. ASEAN is among the top five trading partner for China. Bilateral trade has grown almost 8 times from US$17 billion in 1996 to US$130 billion in 2005. China's investments in ASEAN are also increasing steadily, reaching US$158 million in 2005. There is also cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in various sub-regional initiatives such as the Great Mekong Sub-region Development Zone and Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-The Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

I am glad to note that two ASEAN-China cooperation documents (Second Protocol to amend the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and China, and Protocol to amend the Agreement on Trade in Goods of the ASEAN-China FTA) were recently signed in Cebu, pave the way for the smooth implementation of the ASEAN-China FTA. They include determining and revising the lists of specially designated early-harvest products between China and some ASEAN countries. I believe that the work on the services chapter of the ASEAN-China FTA has been largely completed and it will be signed soon. I am certain that the investments chapter would also be similarly concluded early. The ASEAN-China FTA has prompted many of the other dialogue partners to also work on the FTAs with ASEAN, I hope to see more landmark initiatives of such kind which are mutually beneficial. For example, an ASEAN-China Fully Liberalised Air Services Agreement will greatly enhance connectivity between ASEAN and China and thereby facilitate people-to-people interaction and boost trade and investment.

In terms of political and security cooperation, I understand that both sides are also working on confidence building measures. One key development is the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002 which was appreciated by ASEAN as a gesture of good neighbourliness. Overall, China has played a constructive role through establishing a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity with ASEAN and signing the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2003 - the first between ASEAN and our Dialogue Partner. In addition, China has strongly supported the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ). All these have helped encourage other regional countries to also look at stepping up their relations with ASEAN.

Singapore views ASEAN's relationship with China as one of the key dynamics contributing to regional stability and prosperity. Since China's reform and opening up in the late 70s, we have been a strong proponent of the importance of China to the region as well as the constructive role China can play. We have encouraged both sides to continue engaging in dialogue and working together through various regional channels including ASEAN+3, APEC, ASEM, ARF and the EAS. As we enter the next phase of the relationship, the continued strengthening of ASEAN's relations with China remains a win-win outcome for all, and we will continue to do our part to contribute towards the deepening of this partnership. The close cooperation and warm friendship between ASEAN and China will contribute to a peaceful, prosperous and vibrant Asia.

This Symposium offers a unique opportunity for academics and scholars to engage in issues that may impact the ties and to look at ways and means to strengthen the partnership. The two discussion topics, "China's Peaceful Rise and its Political and Security Implications for ASEAN" and "China's Economic Rise and its impact on ASEAN" that will be discussed in the two sessions later are most timely and relevant.

Finally, I would like to once again welcome you to Singapore and the ASEAN-China Symposium. I hope that you will develop new friendships, form new networks and contribute towards furthering the ASEAN-China relations at the people-to-people level.

I wish all of you a successful Symposium.

Thank you.