1. The Seventh ASEAN and China Transport Ministers (ATM+China) Meeting was held in Manila, Philippines on 7 November 2008. The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza, Department of Transportation and Communications for the Philippines and H.E. Gao Hongfeng, Vice Minister of Transport of the People’s Republic of China.
 
2. The Ministers were pleased with the outcomes of the First Meeting on the ASEAN-Port Cooperation Mechanism held in Guilin, China as a follow-up to the Ministers’ meeting during the Nanning Port Development and Cooperation Forum held last year. The Ministers adopted in principle the Terms of Reference (TOR) to formalize ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting on Port Cooperation Mechanism. The Ministers welcomed China’s initiative to prepare a strategic port cooperation development plan between ASEAN and China. The Ministers welcomed China’s initiative to set up an ASEAN-China Port Services Network for information and knowledge sharing in the port sector.

3. The Ministers welcomed the conclusion of the ASEAN-China Memorandum of Understanding on the Maritime Consultation Mechanism to further enhance the dialogue and knowledge exchange between ASEAN and China in the areas of maritime safety, security and environmental protection.

4. The Ministers agreed in principle with the Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation which identified some 90 transport infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing international and cross-border transportation and facilitation. The Strategic Plan will serve as an important guide for prioritization, investment programming and funds mobilization in the next 10 to 15 years for seven key ASEAN-China transport corridors. The Implementation Work Programme (IWP) for the Strategic Plan will be due for adoption at the next ATM+China in 2009.

5.  The Ministers looked forward to the expeditious conclusion of the ASEAN-China Air Transport Agreement for timely implementation in 2010, the same year when the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area is to be established.

6. The Ministers were also pleased with the notable achievements which deepened the ASEAN-China transport cooperation in 2007-2008 covering maritime safety and maritime security, transport infrastructure development and cross border transport facilitation. The Ministers welcomed the following projects/activities for implementation in 2009:

(a) The Second Implementation Meeting on the ASEAN-China Maritime Transport Agreement;
(b) The Third ASEAN-China Working Group Meeting on Regional Air Services Arrangements;
(c) The Fifth Meeting on ASEAN–China Maritime Consultation Mechanism in Beijing;
(d) Workshop on ASEAN-China Port Cooperation Planning;
(e) Shanghai International Maritime Forum on Marine Environment Protection against Pollution from Ships;
(f) Zhuhai Training Course on Maritime Investigation Officers from the Littoral States of Malacca Straits;
(g) Beijing Workshop on the Development of Rural Roads; and
(h) Preparatory work on the ASEAN-China Port Services Network.

7. The Eighth ATM + China Meeting will be held in Viet Nam in 2009.

_________________________

LIST OF MINISTERS

(a) H.E. Pehin Dato Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Communications for Brunei Darussalam;
(b) H.E. Mr. Tauch Chankosal, Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia;
(c) H.E. Mr.  Gao Hongfeng, Vice Minister of Transport of China;
(d) H.E. Mr. Jusman Syafii Djamal, Minister for Transportation of Indonesia;
(e) H.E. Mr. Sommad Pholsena, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR;
(f) H.E. Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Transport for Malaysia;
(g) H.E. Maj. Gen. Thein Swe, Minister of Transport for Myanmar;
(h) H.E. Mr. Leandro R. Mendoza, Secretary of Transportation and Communications for the Philippines;
(i) H.E. Mr. Raymond Lim Siang Keat, Minister for Transport for Singapore;
(j) H.E. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Deputy Minister of Transport of Thailand;
(k) H.E. Mr. Ho Nghia Dzung, Minister of Transport of Viet Nam; and
(l) Mr. Honorio R. Vitasa, Cluster Director, ASEAN Secretariat