On 26 March 2017, the Asian Regional Cooperation Organization Roundtable was held in Boao International Conference Centre, during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2017. The meeting was moderated by Mr. Yang Xiyu, Deputy Director of the Boao Forum's Research and Training Institute. H.E. Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Vice Foreign Minister of China attended the meeting and delivered a keynote speech. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), together with Ms. Chang Junhong, Directior of ASEAN+3 Macro Economic Research Office (AMRO), Mr. Bundit Limschoon, Secretary-General of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Secretariat, Mr. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat, Mr. Gong Jianwei, Executive Director of Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Mr. Yang Houlan, Secretary-General of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and Mr. Nosirov Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) attended the meeting as speakers.
Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin remarked that looking across Asia, a multi-tiered, multi-pillar, all-dimensional network of cooperation has been emerging. Mutual complementarity among various frameworks, deeper cooperation in various fields, and common progress of sub-regional cooperation institutions have become defining features of regional cooperation in Asia. Such cooperation has given a strong boost to regional integration and injected strong and positive energy into economic globalization. China is an active player and advocate of regional cooperation in Asia. In recent years, China has made important contribution to regional cooperation by seeking to enhance its breadth and depth. He made four suggestions as follows: First, support the development of regional cooperation frameworks. Second, contribute to the cultivation of regional cooperation philosophy. Third, actively enhance practical cooperation. Fourth, actively promote dialogue and cooperation on security.
Secretary-General Yang made an introduction on ACC’s efforts in promoting ASEAN-China pragmatic cooperation and the fruitful results it has achieved. She said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, as well as the Year of ASEAN-China Tourism Cooperation. ACC would like to strengthen its cooperation with people from all sectors to make new contribution to the prosperity and development of this region. SG Yang made four recommendations to enhancing Asian regional cooperation: First, actively implement the consensus reached under various regional cooperation frameworks and bring tangible benefits to the people at an early date. Second, enhance ASEAN Community building and match the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of relevant countries to find more converging interests and inject new impetus to coordinated development. Third, support Lancang-Mekong cooperation, Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and other regional mechanisms which will bolster ASEAN-China cooperation. Fourth, strengthen cooperation between Asian regional cooperation organizations, in a joint effort to promote Asian regional cooperation.
Heads of Asian regional cooperation organizations introduced their mandates and shared their views on Asian regional cooperation respectively. They said that most Asian countries are developing countries or emerging economies, and are the beneficiaries of economic globalization. Facing the current anti-globalization trend, Asian countries should enhance our cooperation and work together to make the Asian voice heard in the world. Regarding the risks and challenges brought about by economic globalization, the governments should adapt their policies accordingly so as to develop the positive effects of globalization while defuse the negative influence, and therefore bring benefits to the people.
Mr. Liu Qing, Director of Department of Asian-Pacific Stuty, China Institute of International Studies, Mr. Dattesh Pamlekar, Vice Professor, GOA university and Mr. Atul Dalakoti, Resident Representative of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry joined the discussion on globalization and Asian regional cooperation.