Timeline of China-ASEAN relations

Editor's note: From poverty reduction and railway construction projects to political and trade cooperation, relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have developed rapidly. China Daily looks back at the milestones along the road to regional prosperity as Premier Li Keqiang attends a series of meetings in Kuala Lumpur.

July 1991

Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen attends the 24th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, marking the start of the China-ASEAN dialogue.

July 1996

China becomes a full dialogue partner of ASEAN.

December 1997

The first informal China-ASEAN Summit is convened in Malaysia, during which it is agreed to establish a good-neighborly partnership of mutual trust for the 21st century.

December 1997

The first ASEAN Plus Three Summit (China, Japan and South Korea) is held in Malaysia.

November 2002

China and ASEAN sign a framework agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation, in which they agree to launch the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.

November 2002

China and ASEAN members sign the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

October 2003

China and ASEAN establish the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity during the seventh China-ASEAN Summit. The Chinese government also announces its joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

November 2004

The first China-ASEAN Expo is held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. China and ASEAN also sign a free trade agreement on trade in goods.

January 2007

China and ASEAN sign an agreement on trade in services.

December 2008

Xue Hanqin is appointed China's first ambassador to ASEAN.

August 2009

China and ASEAN sign a free trade agreement on investment.

January 2010

The China-ASEAN FTA is established on schedule. With a combined population of 1.9 billion people, the area is the largest among developing countries.

September 2012

China launches a permanent mission to ASEAN.