ACC Joint Council Members Visited Tianjin

On 6 May 2015, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) organized a visit to Tianjin for representatives who attended the Brainstorming Session for the Mid-term Review of ACC in Beijing. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Co-chair of the Chinese Joint Council of ACC and Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, Permanent Representatives of Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and Viet Nam to ASEAN, ACC Acting Secretary-General and Director of General Affairs and Coordination Division (GACD) Ms. Huang Ying, Director of Information and Public Relations Division (IPRD) Ms. Lada Phumas and more than 20 officials from ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat joined the visit.

Mr. Zong Guoying, Standing Member of CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee and Party Secretary of CPC Binhai New Area, met with the delegation and hosted a welcoming lunch afterwards. During the meeting, Mr. Zong briefed on the development of Tianjin and cooperation with some ASEAN countries, especially focused on the importance and accomplishments of Binhai New Area which is the forefront of Tianjin’s reform and opening-up. Mr. Zong assured the delegates that Tianjin would actively strengthen cooperation with ASEAN countries in the areas of trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges and make joint efforts to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Representatives from ASEAN countries expressed heartfelt appreciations for the local hospitality, showed admiration for the rapid development and energetic economy of Tianjin as well as the willingness to play positive roles in further promoting the friendly cooperation between ASEAN countries and Tianjin.

The delegation also visited Dongjiang Bonded Port of China (Tianjin) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Tianjin University, Tianjin City Planning Exhibition Hall, and toured the beautiful city along Haihe River by boat. The one-day visit in Tianjin deeply impressed the delegates and generated a lot of memories. In return, the delegates looked forward to more opportunities to come back to Tianjin for exploring further cooperation and exchanges.