On 23 December 2014, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) organized a visit to Taicang City of Jiangsu Province for the delegates who attended the 4th ACC Joint Council Meeting at the ACC Secretariat in Beijing. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Min Lwin, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to ASEAN, Mr. Ma Mingqiang, ACC Secretary-General and more than 20 officials from ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat joined the visit.
Mr. Qiu Zhende, Standing Member of the Communist Party of China Taicang Municipal Committee and Ms. Lu Yan, Vice Mayor of Taicang met the delegation. They introduced the unique geographical advantage of Taicang as an intersection of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road, and expressed the willingness to carry on cooperation on trade and investment with ASEAN countries. ASEAN representatives were impressed by the rapid economic growth and good investment environment of Taicang. They expressed interests to promote trade and investment cooperation, especially cooperation between the SMEs from ASEAN countries and Taicang.
The delegation also visited Taicang City Planning Exhibition Hall, Taicang Port, Zheng He Commemorative Museum and Taicang Jinchao Garment Co., Ltd.
Joint Council is the decision-making body of ACC, comprising representatives who are appointed by each of 10 ASEAN Member States and China.