As part of the commemorative activities celebrating the 20th anniversary of establishment of ASEAN-China dialogue relationship, the ASEAN-China Youth Caring and Sharing Programme has kick-started recently to further promote youth exchanges. Young student representatives from 10 ASEAN member countries and China participated in the week-long programme in Bangkok, Thailand and Kunming, China. The ASEAN-China Center (ACC) hosts the programme in China. The students participated in a variety of activities, including lectures and familarization of traditional Chinese musical instruments. Guests present at the event include Executive Director of the ASEAN-University Network (AUN) Secretariat, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Yunnan People’s Government of China, Vice President of Yunnan University among others.
In his remarks at the welcoming dinner, Secretary General Ma Mingqiang of ACC Secretariat emphasized the importance of ASEAN-China relations and the role of youth exchanges at the welcoming dinner. He pointed out that good relationship between any two countries is based on the affection between people of the nations and the younger generation shoulders great responsibility in building an even brighter future for ASEAN-China relations and also for the region as a whole. He expressed his hope that the student representatives open their heart for better communication on this study tour, see for themselves how China develops at present, make suggestions on how ASEAN and China should work together to further promote their friendly relations. He expressed high hopes, therefore, for the students to actively participate in building a sustainable, long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between China and ASEAN countries.
Dr. Nantana Gajaseni, Executive Director of the AUN Secretariat thanked Mr. Ma Mingqiang and the ACC Secretariat for the efforts to facilitate the ASEAN-China Youth Caring and Sharing Programme. She hopes that the AUN could enhance its cooperation with the ACC, and the two organizations could join hands to further promote exchanges and cooperation in education between ASEAN and China.
During the welcoming banquet, the ACC Secretariat also invited some youth performers from Yunnan Arts University to present a distinctive show of Chinese folk music to the teachers and student representatives from 11 countries.
The students showed great interest in learning the Chinese musical instruments. While thanking the ACC Secretariat for setting up such a good platform for the youth exchange, the students all hope to maintain long-term relations with the ACC.
