Column: ASEAN and China working together for a prosperous 2045

by Yuan Zhi

The recently unveiled ASEAN Community Vision 2045, launched at the 46th ASEAN Summit under the theme "Our Shared Future," embodies the Eastern ideal of collective prosperity. This vision, rooted in the Asian traditions of harmony and mutual progress, resonates with Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

A PARTNERSHIP OF MUTUAL BENEFIT

While some in other parts of world are turning inward, China and ASEAN have been embracing partnership for mutual benefit. For 16 consecutive years, China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner, and ASEAN has held the same position for China over the past five years.

President Xi's recent visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia have reinforced the time-honored bonds between the Asian nations and underscored China's commitment to strengthening ties with its neighbors for a community with a shared future.

THE URGENCY OF ECONOMIC RESILIENCE

The global trade landscape is shifting. Average U.S. tariffs on Southeast Asian goods now exceed 30 percent, and supply-chain disruptions have exposed the risks of overreliance on distant and volatile markets. ASEAN's economic future hinges on diversification and regional integration -- areas where China offers unparalleled advantages.

As the world's second-largest economy and the top trading nation, China has been a stabilizing force for ASEAN through crises like the 1997-98 Asian financial turmoil and the 2008 global recession. Today, initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative provide ASEAN with infrastructure, technology and trade frameworks to boost self-reliance.

THE PATH TO 2045: INNOVATION AND INTEGRATION

ASEAN's manufacturing capacity stands to gain from deeper economic integration with China. Its economic resilience will benefit from more trade with China. And ASEAN's ambitions for digital and green transitions align perfectly with China's strengths in AI, renewable energy and e-commerce.

Despite U.S. restrictions, China's innovative industry continues to develop at a miraculous speed, as evidenced by breakthroughs such as Deepseek. According to the 2024 Global Innovation Index, the past ten years have witnessed China as one of the economies experiencing the most rapid growth in innovation power.

In May, China and 10 ASEAN countries have fully completed negotiations on the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. By modernizing trade rules and expanding cooperation in emerging sectors, China and ASEAN are creating a more dynamic economic future -- one that is more resilient against external shocks.

THE "ASIAN MOMENT" IN GLOBALIZATION

As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, globalization is experiencing an "Asian moment" and the world's focus is shifting towards Asia. The inaugural ASEAN-China-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Summit alongside the 46th ASEAN Summit signals the region's rise as a hub of 21st-century multilateralism.

ASEAN and China working side by side will create greater resilience, innovation and shared prosperity -- essential ingredients for realizing Community Vision 2045.

Editor's note: The author is a commentator on international affairs based in Kuala Lumpur.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.