The China-ASEAN Marine Exchange Cross-Border Business is officially launched during the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

The China-ASEAN Week 2025 began on Nov 17 in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, under the theme "Our Shared Future: Bridging ASEAN 2045 & Chinese Modernization". Participants in the opening ceremony emphasized that deepening cooperation is essential as unilateralism and economic fragmentation pose growing challenges.

The Report on ASEAN-China Trade and Investment Cooperation (2024-2025) was released, showcasing robust economic ties between China and ASEAN. The report noted that both have been each other's largest trading partners for several years. In 2024, bilateral trade reached $862.73 billion from January to October, marking an 8.2 percent increase.

New initiatives were also launched, including the China-ASEAN Marine Exchange Cross-Border Business, which aims to enhance marine economic cooperation through a digital trade corridor featuring online trading, RMB settlement, and blockchain traceability. Additionally, the ASEAN-China Digital Cultural IP Repository will open new avenues for cultural exchange.

The event includes 12 activities, such as the ASEAN-China Youth Roundtable on Marine Cooperation and the ASEAN-China Media & Think Tank Salon. This gathering not only enhances cooperation in economic, cultural, and youth sectors but also aims to maximize the benefits of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, fostering a closer community with a shared future.

Chettaphan Maksamphan, Thailand's deputy permanent secretary for foreign affairs, said, "By aligning ASEAN 2045 with China's modernization path, we can create a more resilient, secure, and prosperous community, benefit our people, and shape a brighter future for generations to come."