Hey amigos! 🌟 Ever heard about the growing bromance between China and the ASEAN nations? Well, it's heating up, and 2024 is looking like a blockbuster year! 🎬
Trade and investment between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (that's countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia) are soaring to new heights. 📈 In the first 10 months of 2024, trade between them hit a whopping $797.63 billion! That's up 7.2% from last year and beats China's overall trade growth by 3.5%. Talk about leveling up! 💪
Not only that, but China is investing big time in ASEAN countries. In 2023, China's investments reached $25.12 billion—a 34.7% jump! 🚀 Seven out of the top 20 places where China invests abroad are ASEAN countries. And guess what? They're investing back in China too, pumping in $7.3 billion from January to July this year, up 14.1%. It's like an epic game of mutual support! 🤝
But it's not just about the money. They're teaming up on next-gen stuff like the digital economy and green tech. 🌱🌐 In October 2024, they wrapped up talks on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, setting new records for cooperation in cutting-edge areas. It's like they're co-writing the future! ✍️
On the ground (and sea and air), they're making moves too. The China-Laos Railway and Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway are now up and running. 🚄 They're building new railways with Vietnam and Thailand, have over 150 shipping routes connecting their ports 🚢, and with direct flights between China and all 10 ASEAN countries, over 25 million passengers are flying between them each year! ✈️
They're even creating new land-sea corridors, mixing up transport methods to connect Asia and Europe like never before. It's like building a superhighway for trade! 🛣️
All these efforts are bringing China and ASEAN countries closer than ever. They're not just neighbors; they're becoming team players in the global arena. 🌍 This growing friendship is boosting economies, creating opportunities, and building a shared future for everyone involved. 🎉
Stay tuned, because this dynamic duo is just getting started! 😉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
