ASEAN-China Centre Held Reception Celebrating the First Anniversary of its Establishment

On 5 December 2012, ASEAN-China Centre hosted the reception celebrating the first anniversary of its establishment in Beijing Kempinski Hotel. Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying of the People’s Republic of China, Cambodian Ambassador Mdm. Khek Caimealy Sysoda as the representative of the rotating ASEAN Chair of 2012, and Director-General Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot of the Department of ASEAN Affairs of Thailand Foreign Affairs Ministry as the representative of the coordinating country between ASEAN and China, attended the function and delivered speeches.

Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said that within the short span of one year, ACC made full play of its own advantages, utilized both governmental and non-governmental resources, and engaged in diverse, substantial and effective activities. Thanks to the hard efforts of ACC and the strong support of the ASEAN Member States, the achievements of ACC had been fully recognized and well received and contributed to the advancing of ASEAN-China cooperation. She believed that, with the strong support and commitment from both Chinese and ASEAN governments, the work of ACC would move to a higher level and the relations between ASEAN and China would have a brighter future.

Ambassador Sysoda said that ACC had played an important role in promoting ASEAN-China cooperation. She gave her special thanks to the assistance of ACC in dispatching CCTV groups to Cambodia in April and September 2012 respectively for a documentary series showcasing Cambodian society, culture and economic development. With the help of ACC, more and more Chinese tourists came to Cambodia and discovered for themselves the marvelous wonders of Angkor Wat. This sincere cooperation and promotion would be kept in the memory of the Cambodian people and government.

Director-General Srisamoot pointed out that ACC had clearly demonstrated that, with support from all sides concerned and its capable staff, the comprehensive array of activities arranged by the Centre covering on seminars, capacity building programmes, exhibitions and exchanges of visit had contributed significantly to regional integration and ASEAN community building process. He believed that ACC would move forward at a stable and solid pace to achieve its goal as effective channel for promoting mutual understanding and fostering ASEAN-China relations. 

ACC Secretary-General Ma Mingqiang pointed out that the year of 2012 had been a year of learning and exploration for ACC, and also witnessed ACC’s commitment to advancing all-round cooperation between ASEAN and China. ACC hosted and participated in more than 50 symposiums and lectures on trade, investment, education, culture and tourism in 22 cities of ASEAN and China, released about thousands pieces of Chinese and English information on its official website, and introduced the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership to tens of millions audience and deepened the practical cooperation between ASEAN and China in all fields. He expressed his gratitude to the governments of the 11 ACC members, ASEAN embassies in Beijing and all walks of society for their care and support to ACC. He assured that ACC would continue its efforts to promote good-neighborly relations and mutual trust, facilitate practical cooperation and enhance the friendship between ASEAN and China.

Over 500 distinguished guests including the representatives of various Chinese Ministries, Ambassadors of ASEAN Member States to China and personage of commerce and business, academy and media attended the reception.