ASEAN, China agree to fight online fraud, foster cooperation  

Leaders of Southeast Asian countries and China have adopted key documents vowing to partner in combating online fraud and gambling, developing smart agriculture and digital ecosystems while promoting people-to-people exchanges and enhancing mutual benefit.

The agreements were reached at the 27th ASEAN-China Summit held on Thursday morning in Vientiane, Laos, the chair of the 10-member regional bloc in 2024.
Presiding over the summit was Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who attended with other ASEAN leaders and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, with East Timorese Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana joining the event as an observer.
“The meeting set the future direction for enhancing the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP),” said the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release issued after the summit.
These efforts aim to strengthen connectivity and resilience for the shared benefit of ASEAN, China, and the global community, it added.
Guiding this ambition, leaders at the summit adopted five outcome documents.
In endorsing the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Combating Telecommunication Network Fraud and Online Gambling, it is believed that both parties underscored the need for joint efforts to tackle transnational crimes that threaten online security.
The ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Promoting the Development of Smart Agriculture is also expected to help leverage technological advancements to improve agricultural practices and outputs.
Another adopted document includes the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Facilitating Cooperation in Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Ecosystem, raising the need for joint efforts to create a digital environment that benefits all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation in People-to-People Exchanges hopes to enhance cultural and social interactions between ASEAN countries and China.
Similarly, the Joint Statement on the Substantial Conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations was also adopted, marking a milestone in the economic relationship between the two parties.
Leaders at the summit noted that ASEAN, the world’s fifth-largest economy, and China, the second-largest economy, are each other’s key trading partners.
Since 2008, China has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China’s largest trading partner for three straight years following 2020.
At the summit, leaders also expressed deep appreciation for the fruitful outcomes of ASEAN-China cooperation over the past 33 years, covering political, security, economic, and socio-cultural sectors.
“This partnership has significantly contributed to ASEAN Community-building efforts, as well as the common goal of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, and cooperation in the region,” said the Lao foreign ministry.

ByTimes Reporters
 (Latest Update October 11, 2024)