Chinese Xi Jinping Targets Stronger Ties with ASEAN through a Digital Silk Road
Chinese president Xi Jinping has pledged to cooperate with Southeast Asia to establish a digital port to enhance digital connectivity and promote a “digital Silk Road, according to SCMP. The regional bloc of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) would also benefit from China’s efforts to drive global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- China regards ASEAN as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and a key area for high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative-Xi.
- XI called for an open and inclusive regional architecture and reiterated that China would “actively consider” ASEAN’s need for COVID-19 vaccines
- Xi’s remarks come two days after U.S president-elect Joe Biden announced that his foreign policy agenda would seek to strengthen global leadership and alliances with Asia-Pacific.
- In the past, China has sought ties with ASEAN as it seeks to cement its position in Southeast Asia and ease pressure from the protracted trade war with the U.S.
- China made a historic milestone earlier this month when it teamed with other ASEAN countries to create the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, touted as the world’s largest free-trade bloc.
- Analysts have pointed out that the future of China-ASEAN relations depends on Biden’s policy over the South China Sea.
Chinese stocks are currently declining. HSI is down 2.06%, SSE Composite Index is down 0.49%
