China

338. ASEAN-China consultative relations gained momentum in the year under review with activities in the areas of science and technology, economic and trade cooperation, and political consultations. These efforts culminated with the decision of the Senior Officials’ Meeting to recommend China become a Dialogue Partner at the 29th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta in July 1996. This decision followed on from the progress made in the previous ASEAN-China SOM Consultations.

339. The first ASEAN-China SOM Consultations were held in Hangzhou, China from 2-3 April 1995. (Singapore) Indonesia hosted the second consultative meeting in Bukittinggi from 11-12 June 1996. Key issues discussed at the meeting included a long-term perspective of ASEAN-China relations and China's interest in becoming a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.

340. The Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation convened its first meeting in Jakarta on 7 August 1995. At the meeting ASEAN and China exchanged views and put forth proposals to promote trade and investment cooperation. Both agreed that China would host the second meeting of the Joint Committee in 1996.

341. The ASEAN-China Joint Science and Technology Committee will hold its second meeting in Bandung in July 1996 to discuss project proposals on remote sensing, meteorology and earth sciences.