中国与南亚8国中的5个国家拥有共同边界。我们与南亚8国都是唇齿相依、守望相助的好邻居、好朋友。中国同南亚的前途和命运紧密地联系在一起。当前，中国人民正朝着实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而迈进，南亚国家也正在经历大变革大转型。我们9个国家、30亿人民，应当抓住机遇，携手合作，共迎挑战，共谋发展。

China shares boundaries with five of the eight South Asian countries, and we are close neighbors and good friends of mutual dependence and mutual assistance with all the eight South Asian countries. The future and destiny of our countries are getting closely entwined. Nowadays, the Chinese people are striving to realize the Chinese dream of great national renewal, while South Asian countries are also experiencing big change and transformation. We the nine countries, with our three billion population, should seize opportunities and work together to meet challenges and pursue common development.

自2006年成为南盟观察员国以来，中国在经贸、农业、扶贫减灾、人力资源培训等领域不断深化同南盟的合作，举办了中国—南亚博览会、中国—南亚国家科技部长会等活动，实施了一系列交流合作项目。为进一步加强与南盟联系，中国任命了驻南盟代表。中方愿在尊重南盟国家愿望的基础上，进一步深化同南盟务实合作，提升同南盟关系，为促进南亚地区的和平、稳定与繁荣作出积极贡献。

Since becoming an observer to SAARC in 2006, China has deepened cooperation with SAARC in trade and investment, agriculture, poverty alleviation, disaster relief and personnel training. China has established such cooperation mechanisms as the China-South Asia Expo and the conference of ministers of science and technology between the two sides, and held a number of programs for exchange and cooperation. To enhance communication and contact, China has appointed Permanent Representative to SAARC. On the basis of respecting the wishes of SAARC countries, China is ready to further deepen practical cooperation, elevate relations with SAARC and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia.

今年9月，习近平主席对马尔代夫、斯里兰卡、印度三国进行了历史性访问，掀开了中国与南亚睦邻友好合作的新篇章。习主席在访问期间提出一系列面向南亚各国的合作倡议，包括争取在未来5年将中国—南亚贸易额提升至1500亿美元，将对南亚投资提升到300亿美元，为南亚国家提供200亿美元优惠性质贷款；未来5年向南亚提供1万个奖学金名额、5千个培训名额、5千个青年交流和培训名额、培训5千名汉语教师，实施中国—南亚科技合作伙伴计划等。我们期待南盟各国积极参与到这些合作中来，相信这将为中国与南盟关系注入新的动力。

Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Maldives, Sri Lanka and India, opening a new chapter of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between China and South Asia. During his visit, President Xi put forward a series of cooperation initiatives toward South Asian countries, including increasing Chinese trade with South Asia to US$150 billion and investment in the region to US$30 billion in the next five years, offering South Asian countries with US$20 billion in concessional loans; offering 10,000 scholarships, 5,000 training opportunities and an exchange and training program for 5,000 youths, training of 5,000 Chinese language teachers for South Asian countries in the next five years, and implementing the China-South Asia Partnership Initiative for Science and Technology. We look forward to SAARC countries’ active participation in these cooperation programs, and we believe they will lend fresh impetus to China-SAARC relations.