ASEAN-China partnership substantive, dynamic: ASEAN secretary-general

China

ASEAN-China partnership substantive, dynamic: ASEAN secretary-general

2025-03-22 14:26 Last Updated At：03-23 00:37

The partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China has been substantive and dynamic, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said in Jakarta, Indonesia.

China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership has sustained a sound development momentum and bilateral cooperation has yielded fruitful results, according to Kao, who always describes the ties with two words - substantive and dynamic.

"If we look at the actual work that had been carried out in more than three decades, the growth, development and transformation of the relationships, cooperation and partnership have indicated that there is a strong momentum, there's a strong dynamism, and there's a lot of substance in the way both sides have been working together over those decades. So that's why I think these two words would capture the essence of the relationship between ASEAN and China," he said in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) aired on Friday.

ASEAN and China have the most number of cooperation mechanisms, which account for almost 20 percent of the total such frameworks that ASEAN has with its 11 official dialog partners.

"Sixty-four mechanisms of cooperation between ASEAN and China cut across the three pillars of ASEAN Community and the ASEAN connectivity. So very wide range. If you look at overall among the eleven dialogue partners, ASEAN and China has [have] the most number of mechanisms," Kao said.

The ASEAN Community comprises three pillars, namely，the ASEAN Political-Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Talking about the nature of China-ASEAN cooperation, Kao highlighted the significance of joint actions and engagement.

"I think we had to look at facts. I think facts speak for themselves. Number one, there are many levels of cooperation across the different sectors and pillars of the community. And second, the depth of cooperation. So that's where you can see more engagement, more interactions between both sides. And then the day is what we do together, I think that's important," said the general secretary.

Trump says considering "winding down" strikes on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he is considering "winding down" the U.S. military strikes against Iran, claiming the United States is "getting very close to" meeting its objectives.

"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East" with respect to Iran, Trump said on Truth Social.

The objectives Trump outlined include degrading Iran's missile capabilities, destroying its defense industrial base, eliminating its navy and air force, preventing it from ever approaching nuclear capability and protecting U.S. allies across the region.

Also on Friday, Trump said that he does not want a ceasefire with Iran.

"We can have dialogue, but you know, I don't want to do a ceasefire," Trump told reporters before he departed the White House for Florida, noting "You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."

"U.S. government says one thing, reality says another," Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday on X, questioning White House's repeated claims that Iran's air defenses and Navy have been destroyed.

Trump on Truth Social also said that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy waterway, should be secured by the countries that rely on it and Washington would assist if asked.

"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated," Trump added.

The United States and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran on Feb 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy.