Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Almaty, October 28 (Xinhua) — The 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, under the theme of "Inclusiveness and Sustainability," sent an important signal to the entire Asian region—the organization is demonstrating a commitment to deepening cooperation, openness, and shared development, based on the principles of mutual respect and collective prosperity. This was stated by Serik Korzhumbayev, editor-in-chief of the Delovoy Kazakhstan newspaper.
At the summit, which opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, East Timor officially became ASEAN's 11th member. According to S. Korzhumbayev, this step strengthened ASEAN's position as a dynamic and open organization, ready for expansion and renewal. The new state's accession symbolized the bloc's resilience and attractiveness, as well as its ability to adapt to new realities.
According to the expert, special attention is being paid to strengthening ASEAN's cooperation with external partners, primarily China. China and ASEAN are jointly implementing large-scale infrastructure and investment projects as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, which contribute to deepening industrial cooperation and developing transportation, logistics, energy, and digital technologies.
China actively supports the idea of creating a free trade area (FTA) 3.0 between China and ASEAN. This agreement envisages further reduction of trade barriers, simplification of procedures, growth of cross-border e-commerce, and expanded cooperation in innovation and high technology. These measures will provide an additional stimulus for economic growth throughout the region and provide a solid foundation for shared prosperity, commented S. Korzhumbayev.
According to him, ASEAN is gradually becoming the core of a new architecture for economic cooperation in Asia. Amid global challenges—from geoeconomic turbulence to climate risks—the association is demonstrating adaptability and strategic thinking. And cooperation with China adds depth and sustainability to this process. China not only remains a key trade and investment partner for the region but also serves as a powerful source of technological and innovative solutions.
This summit also has special significance for Kazakhstan and the countries of Central Asia. Kazakhstan is actively developing cooperation with China and ASEAN countries in transport and logistics, energy, and agriculture. Expanding ties between Central and Southeast Asia opens up new prospects, including the development of multimodal routes, the creation of value chains, and the exchange of technologies. ASEAN's experience in building integration models can serve as a benchmark for strengthening regional cooperation and creating a unified economic space in Eurasia, stated S. Korzhumbayev.
"The summit confirmed that ASEAN, based on the principles of inclusiveness and sustainability, is confidently moving forward, combining national interests with collective development," the expert concluded.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.