06 May 2018
Visit by PRC Premier Li Keqiang to the ASEAN Secretariat Monday, 7 May 2018
His Excellency Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council, People’s Republic of China
His Excellency Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1 On behalf of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, I am honoured to express our appreciation to His Excellency Premier Li Keqiang, for making time to visit the ASEAN Secretariat, and to launch the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership.
2 Your Excellency’s visit is a milestone. First, it represents the highest-level visit ever made by a Chinese Leader to the ASEAN Secretariat. Second, it underscores the importance that China attaches to its partnership with ASEAN. Third, it reflects China’s commitment to further broaden and deepen the wide spectrum of cooperation between ASEAN and China.
3 Singapore has served as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations since August 2015. Personally, it has been a privilege for me to witness at first-hand how the ASEAN-China relationship has grown and matured over the last two and a half years. More importantly, ASEAN-China relations are forward-looking. Both sides have continued to identify new areas of cooperation that will further strengthen ASEAN-China relations. The designation of 2018 as the Year of Innovation, which dovetails with Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “Innovation and Resilience”, is an example of how ASEAN and China will continue to work hand-in-hand to identify new and mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.
4 The future is bright for ASEAN-China relations, and we have begun work on the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision Statement 2030 that will chart the course of future cooperation. I am confident that ASEAN-China relations, which are anchored by mutual respect and mutual benefit, will continue to grow from strength to strength.
5 Finally, allow me to conclude by expressing our appreciation to His Excellency Premier Li Keqiang for your long-standing support for the advancement of ASEAN-China relations, which are important for the region’s stability and prosperity. We sincerely hope that you will be able to visit the ASEAN Secretariat again to see where the beautiful painting, which you have so kindly presented to us, will be prominently displayed at the new ASEAN Secretariat building.
6 Thank you very much.
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