Mao Ning profile photo Photo: official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Notable results have been achieved during Premier Li Qiang's meetings with leaders of East Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China's foreign ministry said on Monday. Leaders from the region also signed the first cooperation document on forming closer electric vehicle (EV) partnerships.

Li attended a series of meetings, including the 26th China-ASEAN Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus China, Japan, ROK (APT) Summit, and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS), on Tuesday and Wednesday in Jakarta, Indonesia, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The three meetings adopted a total of eight documents, and China put forward 39 concrete cooperation proposals for the region, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Monday during a regular press conference.

On the whole, the series of meetings have maintained a positive atmosphere, consolidated the role of the East Asia cooperation mechanism and platform, which helps regional peace, stability and prosperity, said Mao.

"On the basis of deepening traditional cooperation in economy, trade, connectivity, finance and food security, the APT Summit also adopted a statement on cooperation on EVs for the first time," Mao noted.

Countries in the region have reached consensus on seizing opportunities brought about by the new round of technological and industrial revolution, creating new growth points for cooperation and enhancing practical cooperation with all involved parties to sharpen the region's overall competitive edge in emerging fields, said Mao.

According to a forecast by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the new-energy vehicles output will likely reach 10 million units in Southeast Asia by 2025.

In recent years, Chinese EV makers have entered the Southeast Asian market to offer local customers more choices of cutting-edge green vehicles. Their manufacturing plants there also helped boost local economy and created local jobs.

As one of the latest examples, Wuling Motors Indonesia, the overseas subsidiary of Chinese auto-making giant SAIC-GM-Wuling, is providing commuter services using its EV fleet at the 43rd ASEAN Summit held on September 5-7 in Jakarta.

A Wuling Air electric vehicle is seen waiting in front of the venue of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 6, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese EV companies, including  BYD, Great Wall Motor (GWM) and SAIC, established production factories in Thailand. GWM in July announced that it will establish a subsidiary in Malaysia, reinforcing its presence in the region. BYD debuted its ATTO 3 EV in Singapore in July.

Global Times