The Plan of Action (2011-2015) to implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity is expected to be signed by leaders of China and ASEAN countries in November, said Xu Ningning, China-ASEAN Business Council Executive President.
Xu made the remarks at the 8th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum on Tuesday in Nanning, capital city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, ahead of the 12th China-ASEAN Expo, which will be held in the city from September 18 to September 21.
Xu said the plan would be signed by China-ASEAN leaders during the meeting held in November and will include more projects in the rest two months. He also made several suggestions on building China-ASEAN Community of Common Destiny. The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area needs to be upgraded urgently due to changing situations, Xu pointed out.
As both China and ASEAN countries face downward economic pressures and many ASEAN countries have downgraded economic growth forecast, it is very important to jointly upgrade the FTA, strengthen cooperating to realize coordinated development. He said the upgraded agreement may be signed at the end of this year.
Xu suggested that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund should play a more important role in infrastructure construction in the community, especially as economic outlook of the area is gloomy.
He also stressed the functions of China-ASEAN Expo and thinktanks in dealing with new changes and problems in implementing the "Belt and Road" initiative and ensuring healthy and sustainable cooperation between China and ASEAN.
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