The Sixth ASEAN and China Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM+China)
Singapore, 2 November 2007

JOINT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

1. The Transport Ministers of ASEAN and the People’s Republic of China met for the Sixth ASEAN and China Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM+China) in Singapore on 2 November 2007. H.E. Mr. Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs for Singapore and ATM Chairperson, and H.E. Mr. Li Shenglin, Minister of Communications for the People’s Republic of China, co-chaired the Sixth ATM+China Meeting.

2. The Ministers signed the ASEAN-China Maritime Transport Agreement (ACMTA).  The Agreement aims to further advance cooperation and facilitation of international maritime passenger and cargo transportation in support of the increasing trade and economic relations brought about by the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area agreement.  The Ministers agreed to hold an annual implementation meeting, at the officials-level, on the ACMTA.

3. The Ministers adopted the ASEAN-China Aviation Cooperation Framework, which sets the guiding principles for cooperation and facilitation in air transportation to include air services liberalisation, aviation safety and security, airport infrastructure and human resources development. The Ministers looked forward to the expeditious conclusion of the ASEAN-China Air Transport Agreement aimed at realising a fully liberalised air services regime between ASEAN and China, in support of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area.

4. The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the successful convening of the Workshop on Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation held in Nanning, China on 10-12 September 2007, which formulated a comprehensive and integrated transport infrastructure network plan that will enhance international and cross-border transport facilitation between China and ASEAN Member Countries.  The Ministers looked forward to the early finalisation and adoption of the ASEAN-China Transport Strategic Plan at the 7th ATM-China Meeting in 2008.

5. The Ministers also expressed satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the ASEAN-China Port Development and Cooperation Forum held on 28-29 October 2007 in Nanning, China on the occasion of the Fourth ASEAN-China Exposition (CAEXPO), which paved way for common grounds for enhanced port development and cooperation of the region. The Ministers reaffirmed the consensus reached in the Joint Statement on the ASEAN-China Port Development and Cooperation Forum, and welcomed the proposed establishment of a port cooperation joint working mechanism, to chart, among others, the strategic port cooperation plan and identify the top priority projects for implementation.

6.  The Ministers noted the progress made in the ASEAN-China maritime safety and security cooperation, and welcomed the proposal to upgrade the ASEAN-China Maritime Consultation Mechanism into a regular consultation body among the Heads of Agencies / Departments responsible for maritime safety, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

7. The Ministers lauded the significant progress in ASEAN–China transport cooperation and its positive contribution towards enhancing maritime safety and maritime security, strengthening infrastructure linkages and enhancing cross border movement of goods and people between the ASEAN countries and China. The Ministers welcomed the following projects and activities for implementation in 2008:

  1. Shenzhen International Maritime Forum on Seafarers issues;
  2. The First Annual Implementation Meeting on the ASEAN-China Maritime Transport Agreement in China;
  3. The Second Workshop on Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation in China;
  4. The Fourth Meeting of ASEAN-China Maritime Consultation Mechanism in Hainan, China;
  5. The ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting on Ports Cooperation Mechanism in China, and
  6. Scholarship for Master Programme in Maritime Safety and Environment Management for eligible ASEAN Member Countries’ personnels to Dalian Maritime University

8. The Seventh ATM + China Meeting will be held in the Philippines in 2008.

 

 

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LIST OF MINISTERS

  1. H.E. Pehin Dato Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Communications for Brunei Darussalam;

  2. H.E. Mr. Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport for Cambodia;

  3. H.E. Mr. Li Shenglin, Minister of Communications for the People’s Republic of China;

  4. H.E. Mr. Jusman Syafii Djamal, Minister for Transportation for Indonesia;

  5. H.E. Mr. Sommad Pholsena, Minister of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction for Lao PDR;

  6. H.E. Dato’ Sri Chan Kong Choy, Minister of Transport for Malaysia;

  7. H.E. Maj. Gen. Thein Swe, Minister of Transport for Myanmar;

  8. H.E. General Leandro R. Mendoza (Ret.), Secretary of Transportation and Communications for the Philippines;

  9. H.E. Mr. Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport for Singapore;

  10. H.E. Admiral Thira Hao-Charoen, Minister of Transport of Thailand;

  11. H.E. Dr. Tran Doan Tho, Vice Minister of Transport for Viet Nam; and

  12. H.E. Mr. Nicholas T. Dammen, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN.