jpnn.com, CHINA - Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed his support for ASEAN efforts to establish a nuclear weapons-free zone.
"China supports Asean’s efforts to build a nuclear weapon-free zone, and is prepared to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone as early as possible," Xi said while speaking as Chair of the 30th Anniversary Commemoration of the ASEAN-China Partnership via video streaming from Beijing on Monday.
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A nuclear-weapon-free ASEAN is crucial for China's national security, especially after Australia revealed plans to build a nuclear submarine fleet with the help of Britain and the United States.
According to Xi, peace is in the common interest of people in all countries.
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"China firmly opposes hegemony and power politics," said Xi, who is also chairman of China's Central Military Commission.
On that occasion, he put forward five proposals related to China's partnership with ASEAN in the future.
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The five proposals are to create mutual peace, create mutual security, create common prosperity, create mutual comfort, and establish mutual intimacy.
President Xi has expressed his readiness to work with ASEAN countries to build a "health shield" in the region.
China was also ready to donate 150 million additional doses of Covid-19 vaccine to ASEAN countries to increase vaccination coverage, he said.
China would also add US$5 million (Rp 71.2 billion) to the ASEAN Covid-19 Response Fund, increase joint vaccine production, and collaborate on research and development of basic medicines so that ASEAN can increase its resilience, Xi said.
According to the Secretary General of the Chinese Communist Party, his country has allocated US$1.5 billion (Rp 21.7 trillion) to support ASEAN in overcoming the pandemic and restoring the economy in the next three years.
Xi also promised to increase the value of imports of quality products from ASEAN, such as agricultural products, to reach US$150 billion (Rp 2.2 quadrillion) in the next five years.
China would increase cooperation with ASEAN in the field of vocational education and diplomas by increasing the number of scholarship recipients for students from ASEAN and holding youth activities such as youth jamborees, he said.
Next year, China will host the Winter Olympics in Beijing and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, which Xi said would be a golden opportunity in enhancing sports cooperation between his country and ASEAN members. (ant/dil/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: China Berjanji Tambah Dana Segar dan Vaksin untuk ASEAN, Ada Kepentingan Besar