15th Anniversary of ASEAN-CHINA Dialogue Relations

(30 November 2006)

Click on covers above to enlarge.

Dialogue relations between ASEAN and China can be traced to July 1991 when the then Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Qian Qichen, attended the Opening Session of the 24th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Kuala Lumpur as guest of the Malaysian Government. Since then, the relationship between ASEAN and China has expanded and intensified. Over the last 15 years, the ASEAN-China dialogue relations have greatly evolved covering various areas of cooperation.

In marking fifteen years of these dialogue relations, the 9th ASEAN-China Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur on 12 December 2005, agreed to name the year 2006 as the Year of Friendship and Cooperation between ASEAN and China.

The highlight of the celebration is the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit which was held in Nanning, China on 30 October 2006. The Commemorative Summit has given the opportunity to ASEAN Member Countries and China to explore ways on how both sides can further bring the relations forward. Also in conjunction with the celebration of the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, a series of commemorative activities were agreed. Malaysia was given the responsibility to issue the commemorative stamps and covers.

ASEAN and China are committed to their dialogue relations. Both sides are constantly finding new areas for cooperation and innovative ways to enhance existing sectors of cooperation. The red ribbon forming a knot signifies the close ties and relations between ASEAN and China in the RM1 stamp.

In the 50 sen stamps, it signifies the relations between ASEAN and China which cover wide range of cooperation including agriculture, energy, culture, tourism, trade, and investment. The montage of infrastructure and industrial activities in ASEAN and China reflects their various areas of cooperation.

Whereas in the 30 sen stamps, it shows the that ASEAN values its relationship with China and regards it as a strategic partner who can contribute towards further promoting prosperity and preserving peace and security in the region. The flags of ASEAN member countries and China represent the political and security partnership between both sides.

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