CGTN America
Myanmar’s President Thein Sein sits as he chairs the ASEAN +3 summit at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw on November 13, 2014. (AFP PHOTO / Christophe ARCHAMBAULT)
The 25th ASEAN summit concluded in Myanmar and leaders from different nations are now tasked with turning the summit’s discussions and policies into actions. CCTV America’s Andy Saputra reported this story from Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
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China pledges $496M in aid, $20B in loans to ASEAN
Teng Jianqun of CIIS discusses US-ASEAN relations
Peter Keo of Columbia University discusses US-ASEAN relations
This year’s summit was significant as it was the first time Myanmar served as host and the association works through its economic integration plans.
The 10 ASEAN heads of states were in attendance, as did other world leaders including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, U.S. President Barack Obama, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I would like to emphasize that we need to tackle issues such as cyber security, climate change, disaster management, and the Ebola virus disease,” said Myanmar President Thein Sein.
However, the main focus was economic integration of the participating nations by 2015 and beyond.
The integration is 80 percent finished, but ASEAN must still work on key issues including laws protecting intellectual properties, reducing trade barriers, and strengthening integration of the financial markets.
Story compiled with information from CCTV America and AP reports.
China pledges $496M in aid, $20B in loans to ASEAN
China on Thursday pledged to assistance worth $480 million, or 3 billion yuan, to ASEAN nations next year and help the regional bloc reduce poverty.
Chinese Premier Li announced at the ASEAN summit that China will also offer $16 million, or 100 million yuan, for a rural poverty reduction project in East Asia. Li also said China would put forward the East Asia Cooperation Initiative on Poverty Reduction at this year’s ASEAN +3 summit.
China also offered loans worth over $20 billion to support Southeast Asia’s construction of economic integration infrastructure. This includes a preferential loan worth $10 billion and a $10 billion special loan set up by China Development Bank regional infrastructure development.
Story compiled from Xinhua News reports.
Teng Jianqun of CIIS discusses China-ASEAN relations:
CCTV America interviewed Teng Jianqun, the director for the Center of Arms Control at the China Institute of International Studies about the relationship between ASEAN nations and China.
Researcher Peter Keo discusses US-ASEAN relations
CCTV America also spoke with Peter Keo, the founder of the Center for ASEAN-U.S. Studies about the just concluded ASEAN summit.
