Surendra Sawant asked: What is ‘2+7 Cooperation Framework’ proposed by China?

Sampa Kundu replies: During the 16th China-ASEAN Summit, held in Brunei on October 09, 2013, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang proposed the 2+7 cooperation framework. The proposed cooperation framework represents two political consensus and seven areas of cooperation between China and the ASEAN. It is part of Chinese leadership’s new vision for enhancing relationship with the ASEAN. Under the framework, China proposed to sign a treaty on good-neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation with the ASEAN; upgrade the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) in order to achieve the target of $1 trillion bilateral trade by 2020; set up an Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to fund the regional connectivity projects; and, to build the modern-day Maritime Silk Road.

In order to further expand China’s bilateral relations with the Southeast Asian countries, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang frequently visit to the countries in the region which too have reciprocated well to the Chinese initiatives. The ASEAN member countries consider Chinese investments as important for developing regional infrastructure and improving connectivity. Indonesia and Brunei have been particularly enthusiastic about the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and its funds flowing towards infrastructure development projects in the region. However, on the political cooperation front, China’s proposed treaty of good neighbourliness is seen with certain scepticism among the ASEAN member countries. Instead, they would prefer to have a wider Indo-Pacific friendship and cooperation treaty that also includes countries other than China and the ASEAN.

Posted on December 09, 2014