The Australian Special Summit held at the beginning of this month shows that Australia's contact with Southeast Asia is serious and ambitious.
Australia is very happy to welcome the members of the Asian'an member and the leaders of East Timor to Melbourne to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Australia in 1974 as the first dialogue partner of Asianan.
This summit is also an opportunity to look forward to the future.Southeast Asian countries are looking for various plans to promote rapid growth economy and cooperate in climate, clean energy and other key areas.The same is true of Australia.
As the Prime Minister Albanis said in Melbourne: "The economy of Asia and Australia is deeply intertwined. We hope to play a greater role in seeking economic opportunities, development and growth in Southeast Asia."
Therefore, Albanis announced at the summit to set up an investment and financing mechanism of A $ 2 billion (approximately $ 1.758 million) to promote the investment in the Australian private sector in Southeast Asia.10 business leaders have also been appointed to strengthen business connections with Southeast Asia.For Australia, one of the newly launched "Investment Deal Teams" is located in Singapore. It is an obvious choice.The other two centers are located in Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City.These investment teams will find investment opportunities in Southeast Asia.The first Australian -Southeast Asian commercial exchange group will visit Singapore and Malaysia in April.
Australia also makes it more convenient to travel between Southeast Asia and Australia by extending the validity period of business passenger visas and the category of expanding the "frequent passenger" visas.
These and other main suggestions for the Australian Southeast Asian economic strategy, which announced the implementation of the Australian Southeast Asian economic strategy in 2040, aims to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between Australia and Southeast Asia.
At the summit, Australia also further promised to cooperate with Asia's partners to jointly reduce the impact of climate change and accelerate the transformation of clean energy.
Australia will invest in MEKONG-AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP (MEKONG-AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP) to help the MPK's sub-regional partner countries in response to common challenges, including water source security and against climate change.The Australian Government and Government Partnership Fund of Southeast Asian Government will first launch a "Climate and Clean Energy Window" program with a total value of $ 10 million to strengthen the common efforts to respond to climate change and promote clean energy.Australia will invest an additional US $ 140 million for the "Partnerships for Infrastruction Program" to support the development of infrastructure and attract diversified and high -quality infrastructure financing.
Australia and Asian's future partnerships are complementary to its ambitious and innovative bilateral relations with Singapore.As Albanis said: "In essence, Australia and Singapore are ambitious. We are a country of action, construction and innovation."
At the bilateral annual leader-level meeting held during the summit, Premier Albanis and Lee Hsien Loong announced the pioneering Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement, including the realization of the shipping corridor of the two countries.Carbonization and digitalization, as well as promoting cross -border renewable power trade.They also announced the first batch of funding enterprises of the "GO-Green Co-Innovation Program", which will conduct business in important areas such as sustainable aviation, environmental monitoring and energy efficiency.
In Melbourne, Premier Lee said: "Southeast Asia and the wider stability and security of the Asia -Pacific region continue to be related to the interests of Australia, because this affects Australia, and Australia can contribute to this."
He said it was completely correct.
The future of Australia is closely related to Southeast Asia.In today's geopolitical turbulence, Axian played a core role in maintaining regional stability and plays an important role in regional cooperation.Southeast Asian countries are exerting influence to create a area that respects international law and countries can make their own sovereignty choices in a way that is beneficial to all of us.
As Albanis said: "Australia is committed to becoming a model partner of Southeast Asian countries. We will continue to play a constructive role and cooperate in a way of respect, honesty and trust. More importantly, listen to your opinions."
Trade, banking, flight, navigation, and economic ways and communication are under great changes.Australia is committed to cooperating with Singapore and other Asian thinner partners to jointly maintain a stable situation that has benefited Australia and Southeast Asia, creating the future we want to see.
The author is the highest commissioner in Australia in Singapore
Golden Shun Translation