ACC Strengthens the Ties of Friendship between the Peoples of ASEAN and China with Outreach Activities

The high interest towards ASEAN-China relations has this year once again resulted in greater visibility of ASEAN in China and vice versa. ASEAN-China Centre (ACC)'s outreach activities had been successfully conducted with professionalism, involving the people from all walks of life who are dear and at the heart of ACC.

In 2014, ACC has increased its efforts to raise the profile of ASEAN-China relations and to strengthen the ties of friendship between the peoples of ASEAN and China.

Throughout the year 2014, ACC has successfully carried out a series of major public relations projects in close collaboration with the media and other ACC partners. These included ASEAN Ambassadors’ Lecture Series with the Vietnamese Ambassador to China H.E. Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, the 5th and 6th "My ASEAN & China" Multimedia Art Exhibition Series on “Peaceful Laos” and “Colorful Symphony: Wonderful ASEAN and China” respectively, “Voice of ASEAN” High-end Dialogue with ASEAN VIPs, “Life in China” Presented by ASEAN Residents and Students, Microblog Interview Series of “Touring ASEAN with Diplomats” with the Indonesian Ambassador to China H.E. Mr. Soegeng Rahardjo, Tai Chi Class for ASEAN Diplomats and Spouses, visit to historical Prince Gong’s Mansion by ASEAN Ladies’ Circle, “ACC Cup - Understanding ASEAN-China Relations” Essay Contest, a photo exhibition on ASEAN and China at ACC ASEAN Hall, ACC booth at the 11th CAEXPO in Nanning, and producing 2013 ASEAN-CHINA INFO on ASEAN-China cooperation. Publications and articles about ACC have been consistently published in English, Chinese and some ASEAN languages through China-ASEAN Watch, China-ASAEN Panorama, China Report, and other tangible means throughout the year.

Increasing the awareness of ASEAN-China relations and strengthening the ties of friendship between the peoples of ASEAN and China have been the major objectives for ACC to conduct those activities. ACC attaches great importance to raising the profile of ASEAN-China relations among ordinary Chinese and ASEAN people, and helping them know better about ASEAN-China relations and in the functional cooperation areas of investment, trade, education, culture and tourism. ACC Secretary-General Ma Mingqiang also had favorably responded to numerous media interview requests to raise awareness about ASEAN-China relations and ACC.

Among the above-mentioned activities, the Information and Public Relations Division (IPRD) of ACC wishes to highlight the two as follows :

First, ACC had successfully held “ACC Cup - Understanding ASEAN-China Relations”. Essay Contest within 6-month period from May to October 2014. From May to July, IPRD Director Ms. Lada Phumas and Deputy Director Ms. Cao Ting travelled to 10 Chinese universities and gave lectures to almost 2,000 students and faculty members on ASEAN and ASEAN-China relations. By the end of July 2014, ACC received 168 qualified essays submitted by the students from 17 universities across China. A prize-awarding ceremony was held at ACC ASEAN Hall on 23 October 2014, where over 130 representatives presented, including Myanmar Ambassador to China H.E. Mr. Thit Linh Ohn and diplomats from ASEAN embassies in Beijing, and ACC trophies and certificates were awarded to the winners. "ACC Cup - Understanding ASEAN-China Relations" Essay Collection booklet was launched to disseminate information about ACC and its project. The participants commended ACC for the well-crafted event, which was not only ceremonial in nature but also substantive in light of further enhancing ASEAN-China relations.

Second, for the purpose of assisting the ASEAN diplomats and spouses in understanding the Chinese art and culture, and providing a platform of exchange and better connection for ASEAN diplomats and ACC, ACC organized a Tai Chi Class for ASEAN diplomats and spouses for 1 month at ACC ASEAN Hall. The Tai Chi 24 Forms, which was recommended by the General Administration of Sports of China, were taught by a professional teacher from Beijing Sport University. The participants from ASEAN enjoyed practicing the Tai Chi and were impressed by effective outcomes on health and mind from the practice.

Last but not least, ACC remains to be a responsible channel to link the 10 ASEAN countries with all Chinese friends. ACC is pleased that 2014 marks another constructive year for ACC, in which ACC official bilingual Website visitations reach up to 1.6 million and ACC Microblog fans exceed 1.7 million. ACC will do more to continuously build a solid bridge and foundation to connect the peoples of ASEAN and China.

2015 will be another meaningful year for ASEAN and China, as it marks the ASEAN-China Maritime Cooperation Year and ASEAN Community will be fully realized. ACC is committed to make consistent efforts, through various outreach activities, to promote people-to-people connectivity between ASEAN and China and enhance the sustained development of ASEAN-China strategic partnership.

To learn more about ACC, please visit our Website at www.asean-china-centre.org or our Microblog at weibo.com/aseanchinacentre.