The Singaporean Delegation Attending the 8th China-Singapore Forum Visited ACC

On 23 October 2013, the Singaporean delegation attending the 8th China-Singapore Forum led by H.E. Prof. Tommy Koh, Chairman of the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore and Co-chair of China-Singapore Forum, paid a visit to ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and met with H.E. Mr. Ma Mingqiang, Secretary-General of ACC.

Secretary-General Ma expressed his deep gratitude to Prof. Tommy Koh who was one among the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), proposing the idea to establish ACC. Since its inception in November 2011, ACC has continued to actively chart its responsibilities to further deepen ASEAN-China cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, education, culture and tourism. As of October 2013, ACC has completed more than 250 projects and activities which benefit the peoples of ASEAN and China. The 16th ASEAN-China Summit on 9 October 2013 has placed higher expectations on ACC. ACC will redouble its efforts to build upon past achievements to further strengthen and elevate ASEAN-China relations. ACC will need to work harder to network with various agencies and institutions, explore and mobilize resources including those from the private sector, and undertake more substantive events. Miss Lada Phumas, Director for Information and Public Relations Division, took a task to brief the delegation on behalf of ACC on ACC’s roles and functions as well as activities held and to be held by ACC, which stimulated an interactive dialogue between the delegation and ACC. 

Prof. Tommy Koh expressed that he was very pleased to see the realization of his brainchild and ACC was just like his baby. He was amazed and very much impressed by the extraordinary work of ACC in promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and China. He said that the achievements of ACC have exceeded his expectation. He congratulated on the successful work of ACC and wished ACC to make more achievements in years to come.

Both sides discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to ASEAN-China cooperation, including how to further promote investment in ASEAN among the Chinese investors, realize the student mobility goal as well as deepen media cooperation between ASEAN and China.