Chronologies
China - Southeast Asia
Chronology from Jan 2003 to Mar 2003
: China strongly condemns the terrorist bombing in Davao, Philippines.
: China strongly condemns the terrorist bombing in Davao, Philippines.
: China announces Hainan Island will significantly reduce its fishing fleet under a China-Vietnam fishery cooperation agreement in the Tonkin Gulf/Beibu Bay.
: China announces Hainan Island will significantly reduce its fishing fleet under a China-Vietnam fishery cooperation agreement in the Tonkin Gulf/Beibu Bay.
: Malaysian PM Mahathir, interviewed by China’s Renmin Ribao, notes in response to the “China threat theory” propagated in the West that although China’s military strength will increase, this does not imply that China will use that force on other countries. He and Foreign Minister Syed Albar point out that ASEAN trade and investment will benefit from the enormous potential of the China market.
: Philippine Ambassador Josue Villa says in Beijing that his country wants more investment from China. He notes that the Philippines achieved a positive trade balance with China for the first time in 2002, with bilateral trade reaching $5.2 billion. Chinese companies are welcome to invest in infrastructure, agriculture, and the information industry.
: China hosts a high-level symposium with ASEAN officials in Guilin to further discuss details of the proposed China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
: China hosts a high-level symposium with ASEAN officials in Guilin to further discuss details of the proposed China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
: Chinese Vice FM Wang Guangya represents Beijing at the 13th Summit of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM) in Kuala Lumpur and states the importance of promoting democracy in international relations and the role of the UN.
: Chinese Vice FM Wang Guangya represents Beijing at the 13th Summit of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM) in Kuala Lumpur and states the importance of promoting democracy in international relations and the role of the UN.
Feb. 24, 2003: China’s Huadien Engineering Company signs an agreement with two Indonesian firms to build up to 30 power plants on Java, to meet the island’s growing power requirements. Indonesia has been seeking foreign investment in the power sector to avert blackouts over the next few years. The Chinese firm plans to concentrate on hydroelectric plants, but may build plants using other technologies including coal- and gas-fired and geothermal facilities.
: Chinese Communist Party Standing Committee Member Huang Ju meets in Beijing with the Secretary General of Thailand’s ruling Thais Love Thais party, Suriya Juangrungruangkit. Huang tells his guest that “China and Thailand are one big family,” and that China’s Communist Party wants to expand relations with major political parties in Thailand.
: A Chinese court hands down stiff sentences to 10 Indonesians for piracy. They had seized a Thai tanker in Malaysian waters and brought it to China, where they planned to sell the vessel and its cargo. Chinese authorities returned the ship and the proceeds of sale of the diesel fuel to the owners.
: Thai PM Thaksin visits Beijing to congratulate the new leaders before the formal transition, meets Hu Jintao and PRC President Jiang Zemin.
: An Indonesian Navy ship sinks a Chinese boat reportedly fishing illegally in Indonesian waters off the coast of Papua. One crewman was killed, and 24 others arrested.
: China says it is “gravely concerned” after rioting Cambodians, angered by a report that a Thai movie star had claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand, burned the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh.
: Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with ambassadors of the two countries in an effort to resolve the issue.
: The 19-member Taiwan delegation led by Vice Speaker Chiang Pin-kung is cancelled one day before leaving to Thailand, after failing to receive visas.
Jan. 22, 2003: Vietnamese media report that Lt. Gen. Kui Quansheng from China’s Chengdu military zone visited Vietnam’s northern military zones as a guest of the Vietnam People’s Army to boost friendship and mutual understanding.
Jan. 23, 2003: Chairman of the National People’s Congress Li Peng tells visiting Philippine House Speaker Jose Venecia that China will work with the Philippines as Manila hosts the fourth annual meeting of Asian Parliaments for Peace later this year. Venecia lauds Philippine-China cooperation, and awards Li the Philippine Congress Medal of Achievement.
Jan. 24-25, 2003: Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing meets H.R.H. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and senior members of the Thai government, during a visit to Bangkok. Li thanks PM Thaksin for his country’s “one China” policy, and urges him to maintain vigilance against attempts by Taiwan to impose “one China, one Taiwan” on the international community.
Jan. 26, 2003: Speaking in Indonesia, Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry George Yeo acknowledges that China is a fierce competitor with ASEAN in some sectors, but avers that “as always in history,” China’s growth and prosperity will benefit Southeast Asia. He expresses confidence that ASEAN’s long history in advanced manufacturing will remain competitive as trade barriers are lowered.
: The 19-member Taiwan delegation led by Vice Speaker Chiang Pin-kung is cancelled one day before leaving to Thailand, after failing to receive visas.
: Senior Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council, visits China with SPDC Secretary 1 Gen. Khin Nyunt and seven Cabinet ministers. China announces a $200 million preferential loan for development assistance.
: Senior Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council, visits China with SPDC Secretary 1 Gen. Khin Nyunt and seven Cabinet ministers. China announces a $200 million preferential loan for development assistance.