The Summit, which will be held virtually, offers an opportunity for leaders of both sides to assess ASEAN-China cooperation over the last three decades and charter major orientations for bilateral ties in the upcoming time.

China was accorded full dialogue partner status at the 29^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in July 1996 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The relationship between ASEAN and China was elevated to a higher plane with the signing of the Joint Declaration of the Heads of State/Government on Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity at the 7th ASEAN-China Summit in October 2003 in Bali, Indonesia. T

Both sides agreed to further lift up the ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the 24th ASEAN-China Summit in October this year./.