Partnership for prosperity

China, ASEAN can build on the good momentum in their relations to push forward the realization of a community of shared destiny

Premier Li Keqiang reiterated that China's relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a priority in Beijing's neighborhood diplomacy during the Ninth East Asia Summit in Myanmar on Friday. His call for China and ASEAN to map out a grand strategy while addressing practical issues shows Beijing's growing confidence in fostering ties with ASEAN and building a prosperous and stable community of common destiny with its members.

The concept of a China-ASEAN community with a common destiny means, first of all, a community of common interests, which necessitates stronger economic cooperation. The economic bonds between China and ASEAN are a key driver of their relations, but they are also a solid foundation for greater cooperation in East Asia at large. The China-ASEAN relationship has reaped a host of fruits during the past "Golden Decade", a term used by both China and ASEAN to describe their flourishing economic ties in the past 10 years.