Promoting ASEAN-China Sports Cooperation

The SOMS + China conference was held on the afternoon of October 15.

The event marks a new step in the development of sports cooperation between ASEAN and China, towards building a dynamic, sustainable and prosperous community.

The conference was co-chaired by Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration and Ms. Wang Xiao Yin, Coordinator of the Foreign Affairs Department, General Administration of Sports of China.

ASEAN-China Friendship Bridge

In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh emphasized China's role in promoting exchanges, knowledge sharing and enhancing policy dialogue in the field of sports with ASEAN countries. He said that a series of cooperation initiatives have been effectively implemented such as the China-ASEAN International Sports Science Conference, the ASEAN-China Women's Wushu Championship and the China-ASEAN International Automobile Parade (CAITA).

Activities such as the China-ASEAN SUP-Kayak Championship and the Regional Traditional Sports Festival not only create attractive sports playgrounds but also contribute to cultural connection, strengthening trust and friendship between the people of the two sides. According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh, putting people at the center of sports cooperation is the foundation towards sustainable development - where sports not only improve health but also promote community welfare and happiness.

Ms. Wang Xiao Yin, Coordinator of the Foreign Affairs Department, General Administration of Sport of China.

Ms. Wang Xiao Yin, the Chinese representative, said that since the establishment of ASEAN-China dialogue relations in 1991, the two sides have made significant progress in multi-faceted cooperation, with sports emerging as a pillar promoting regional peace and prosperity. She emphasized that the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2021, has opened a framework for extensive cooperation, making sports an effective tool to connect people.

Collaboration imprints from specific projects

Within the framework of SOMS + China, many sports cooperation projects are being implemented synchronously, notably the “ASEAN Sports Zones” initiative – a symbol of the spirit of regional cooperation.

Phase I (2022-2023) of the initiative has been completed in Cambodia and Indonesia, creating friendly, accessible community sports spaces for all ages. Phase II (2024-2025) is now being expanded to Laos, Myanmar and Thailand with technical support from China. Anouvong Park in the Lao capital Vientiane is expected to be inaugurated by the end of 2025. In Myanmar, the project has been delayed due to natural disasters, but the two sides have agreed to restart the plan in 2026.

ASEAN delegates noted that early experience showed that coordination between local authorities and communities played a key role in the success of the project. The “ASEAN Sports Zone” model was considered an effective tool for social cohesion, as sports became a “common language” of peace and cooperation.

In addition, the project “ Exchange and Restoration of ASEAN-China Traditional Sports and Games” is also being promoted, aiming to preserve folk sports such as Wushu, Sepak Takraw, Tai Chi and Chinese Chess, considering sports as part of intangible cultural heritage.

In addition to competition, the two sides also strengthen cooperation in sports science research, sports medicine and coach training. Many training camps for Tai Chi, Sepak Takraw, Archery and Rowing are held annually, attracting a large number of young athletes from ASEAN countries, contributing to promoting professional exchange and spreading the regional sports spirit.

Towards the cooperation period 2026-2030

Entering 2025 - the Year of ASEAN-China People-to-People Exchanges, China affirmed that sports will continue to be a "bridge connecting people" and an effective channel of soft diplomacy.

According to the new cooperation orientation for the period 2026-2030 , the two sides focus on three major focuses:

-Promote sports exchanges and preserve traditional sports heritage, and expand the “ASEAN Sports Zones” initiative to phase III with the participation of Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

- Strengthen the mechanism for monitoring and evaluating project effectiveness, ensuring both financial and social sustainability, aiming at the ability to replicate the model in other cities.

-Promoting sports as a method of people's diplomacy, contributing to strengthening political trust and maintaining regional peace and stability.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for the 2nd ASEAN + China Sports Ministers Meeting (AMMS + China), scheduled to take place on October 17. Here, the parties will adopt a Joint Statement and Interim Agenda, creating a foundation for cooperation in the next phase.

With clear direction and high consensus, ASEAN-China sports cooperation is becoming a driving force for regional connectivity, contributing to realizing the vision of a cohesive, sustainable and happy ASEAN community through the power of sports.

Minh Giang

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thuc-day-hop-tac-the-thao-asean-trung-quoc-post915640.html