China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation

By Huang Jiangqin

Consensus on ecoenvironmental protection outweighs differences with continued focus on four strategic areas

Chinese personnel provide training to Cambodian technical staff on the operation and routine maintenance of particulate matter analyzers at the Cambodia University of Technology in September 2021.(MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF CHINA)

In response to the severe challenges posed by global climate change and the sustainable development goals of reaching peak carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality,green development has become a shared objective and necessity for economic growth and social transformation worldwide.China and the ASEAN countries share extensive common interests and positions on addressing climate change.Both have consistently emphasized green and sustainable development in their pursuit of shared prosperity.They have engaged in extensive practical cooperation in areas such as ecological conservation and clean energy.

At the China-ASEAN Summit on September 6,2023,leaders from China and ASEAN countries acknowledged the significant achievements made over the past year in addressing climate change and environmental protection.

What achievements in 2023 were so significant? What opportunities and challenges await in the upcoming year?China Report ASEAN interviewed Li Xia,chief advisor and division chief at the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE),to share her insights.According to Ms.Li,China-ASEAN ecological and environmental cooperation in 2024 will be directed towards four key strategic areas.They are environmental policy dialogue and capacity-building,fighting climate change and improving air quality,promoting sustainable cities and reducing marine plastic pollution,and conserving biodiversity and managing ecosystems.

China Report ASEAN: What were the key cooperative achievements made by China and ASEAN in the field of ecological environmental protection in 2023?

Li Xia:The year 2023 marked the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.In 2023,China and ASEAN countries closely aligned with the ASEANChina Environmental Cooperation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025 and achieved fruitful cooperation based on the realities of regional sustainable development.They conducted a series of policy dialogues,capacitybuilding activities,joint studies,and regional demonstrations.These efforts have synergistically advanced both domestic and international climate adaptation cooperation,improving the effectiveness of China-ASEAN climate and environmental cooperation.They have also bolstered our regional influence and discourse power and proactively safeguarded the climate and ecological security in the neighboring regions of China and ASEAN.Here are some specific achievements:

Li Xia

First,the ASEAN-China Environmental Cooperation Forum 2023,themed “Climate Change Adaptation,” was held in person.The forum focused on two main topics:“ASEAN-China Low-Carbon Trade System Facilitating Regional Green Value Chain Construction” and “Climate Trade Promoting Green and Low-Carbon Development Practices of Typical Products in Asia and Africa.” It facilitated exchange of good practices of green and sustainable trade in the region and green value chain partnerships.The forum also explored the current status and prospects of China-ASEAN cooperation and Asia-Africa joint efforts to achieve green value chain partnerships.At the forum,flagship cooperation projects such as the ASEAN-China Green Value Chain Partnership (GVCP) and the Initiative for the ASEAN-China Knowledge Hub for Climate-Resilient Community were jointly launched by the MEE Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center,relevant government departments from ASEAN countries responsible for environment,industry,trade,energy,and agriculture,as well as international organizations,research institutes,and the private sector.These projects have injected new momentum into fostering consensus on regional green development and establishing regional green value chains.

Second,the China-ASEAN Emissary Plan on Ecological Environment and Climate Change was developed and implemented.This program has established a bridge for cooperation and communication among nearly 4,000 officials,researchers,and young scholars from government agencies in ASEAN countries responsible for environmental and climate change issues.

Third,more than 10 joint studies have been conducted to address significant regional environmental challenges including climate change,biodiversity conservation,and reduction of marine plastic pollution.Based on their research,collaborative demonstration projects were jointly implemented in ASEAN countries by China and UN agencies to improve community livelihoods while protecting the ecological environment.China consistently advances practical cooperation through small yet wellplanned international collaborative projects.

China Report ASEAN: What are the key topics and immediate needs for ecological and environmental protection in the ASEAN region? Given the diverse range of natural endowment and economic development,do ASEANcountries encounter varying challenges in participating in ecological and environmental protection cooperation?

Li:China is the largest developing country in the world,and most member states of ASEAN are also developing countries,some being important emerging economies.The regional countries face the shared challenge of promoting green and sustainable development under increasingly severe global climate change and environmental challenges.

It is natural for ASEAN countries to have different concerns about ecological and environmental protection due to their diverse national conditions.However,during the process of cooperation,consensus between China and ASEAN has always outweighed differences.Moreover,China and ASEAN always seek common ground while respecting differences by engaging in policy dialogue through mechanisms such as the ASEAN-China Environmental Cooperation Forum.

Since the establishment of the China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Center,affiliated to the MEE Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center,in 2010,China and ASEAN have collaboratively developed and implemented three phases of environmental cooperation strategies.Among them,the four major strategic areas of cooperation identified in the ASEAN-China Environmental Cooperation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025 are the most crucial areas in the region now.Specifically,they involve environmental policy dialogue and capacity-building,fighting climate change and improving air quality,promoting sustainable cities and reducing marine plastic pollution,and conserving biodiversity and managing ecosystems.

China Report ASEAN: China is an active supporter and practitioner of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).ASEAN also places great importance on sustainable development and considers the achievement of the UN 2030 SDGs a crucial aspect of ASEAN community building.However,progress on the SDGs has been relatively slow,attracting significant global attention.Considering this,will there be any adjustments in the cooperation between China and ASEAN?

Li:Despite the evolving international landscape and increasing challenges,the key areas of China-ASEAN environmental cooperation remain unchanged.They are still the four strategic directions I mentioned.Since they were selected based on the key concerns in the ASEAN region regarding the SDGs,these four strategic directions are currently key areas in the cooperative strategy of both sides and will gain increasing emphasis in the future.

China Report ASEAN: As we approach 2024,could you please outline the main strategic priorities forenvironmental cooperation between China and ASEAN in the coming year?

With the theme “Seeking for a Synergistic Approach for Climate and Environment Governance,Working Together for Harmony Between Humanity and Nature,” the ASEAN-China Environmental Cooperation Forum 2023 was held in Nanning from September 15 to 16. (FOREIGN ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION CENTER)

Li:In 2024,China and ASEAN will continue to prioritize environmental cooperation based on the four strategic directions outlined in the ASEANChina Environmental Cooperation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025.Both parties will innovate cooperation approaches and enrich cooperation content to promote substantial and profound cooperation.

First,both parties will utilize existing China-ASEAN mechanisms to conduct dialogue on climate change and environmental protection.They will organize various regional policy dialogues and knowledge sharing on topics such as climate policy and action,carbon markets and climate finance,urban low-carbon development,green value chain development,and synergy between climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

Second,the parties will leverage the existing framework of China-ASEAN emissary plan on ecological environment and climate change to establish a China-ASEAN Climate Change Capacity Building Partnership and conduct comprehensive capacity building focused on key regional topics.

Third,the two will continue to expand and deepen the GVCP by establishing a multi-sector dialogue platform that involves policy,business,science,and community.This effort will enrich knowledge products on South-South environmental and climate cooperation and provide regional support to expedite the attainment of the UN SDGs.

Fourth,China and ASEAN will carry out the China-ASEAN Climate Adaptation Community Development Plan to address ASEAN’s pressing regional climate change adaptation needs.This plan aims to identify best practices for building climate-resilient communities at a regional level.It also aims to develop more small yet wellplanned community demonstration projects to practically enhance the region’s integrated capacity for climate change adaptation.