ASEAN members gather for a group photo during the "New Era, New Vision" seminar in Bangkok, Thailand on Octber 22, 2018. (Photo: Zhao Yipu)

Bangkok (People's Daily) – Thammasat University's East Asian Studies department held a China-ASEAN seminar themed “New Era, New Vision” on Monday in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand.

Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Lyu Jian, ASEAN Affairs Director-General, Suriya Chindawongse, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Kitti Prasirtsuk, Vice Rector of Thammasat University, and Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Center were in attendance along with 200 visiting scholars and leaders from both China and ASEAN countries.

During his opening address, Lyu noted how the China-ASEAN relationship has become the most successful example of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

ASEAN members attend the "New Era, New Vision" conference in Bangkok, Thailand on October 22, 2018. (Photo: Zhao Yipu)

Lyu compared China’s ASEAN relationship to a binary star shining upon the international stage, delivering tangible benefits for two billion people, while promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond. Both recently settled on the Vision for China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership 2030 which will be presented at the ASEAN summit leaders meeting next month.

“Looking back, China-ASEAN relations have achieved rich results by adhering to the principles of equality, mutual respect, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation,” Lyu added.

The Chinese Ambassador emphasized that ever since the Belt and Road Initiative was introduced, China and ASEAN countries have expanded cooperation in all areas. 

China is ASEAN's first strategic partner and one of ASEAN's fastest-growing partnerships, Chindawongse said during his opening address.

Next year Thailand will helm ASEAN and will focus on sustainable development, regional interconnection, cybersecurity, and disaster prevention efforts.

In his closing remarks, Chen said the China-ASEAN Center has emerged as a strategic partnership between the two sides.

Since 2011, the China-ASEAN Center has implemented trade consensus leading to new projects in investment, education, culture, tourism, information media and other key sectors.

Chen pointed out that over the course of 15 years, the relationship as contributed to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

China-ASEAN seminar "New Era, New Vision" at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand on October 22, 2018. (Photo: Zhao Yipu)