On 17 September 2015, the 1st ASEAN-China Disability Forum, co-organized by China Disabled Person's Federation (CDPF) and the Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and implemented by Guangxi Disabled Person's Federation, was held in Nanning, Guangxi. The Forum, with the theme of "Equal Access, Inclusive Development", was one of the series events during the 12th CAEXPO. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the Forum and delivered remarks. President of CDPF H.E. Mr. Lu Yong, Vice Party Secretary of Guangxi H.E. Mr. Wei Chaoan, Vice President of Guangxi H.E. Mr. Huang Ribo, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN H.E. AKP Mochtan, officials from Ministries in charge of disability affairs of ASEAN Member States and about 100 representatives attended the Forum.
Mr. Lu Yong expressed in his remarks that the Chinese government attached great importance to disability affairs, and had taken effective measures to constantly improve the living conditions of the disabled. The disabled population in China and ASEAN countries were large in number. The development of disability affairs would show the spirit of the disabled persons in make unremitting efforts to improve themselves, reflect equality and justice of the societies, and promote aprogress of the world civilization. The purpose of this Forum was to allow disabled persons to enjoy equal rights to survival and development. In this October, the Disabled Person’s Cooperation Meeting under ASEM would be held in Beijing. It was believed that with the joint efforts made by all sides, the future of the disabled would be brighter.
Mr. Wei Chaoan expressed that paying more attention to disability affairs was a symbol of social progress. The 1st ASEAN-China Disability Forum was a new starting point for further improving the exchanges and cooperation in disability affairs. This Forum would enhance cooperation in the recovery and employment of the disabled, enhance high-level exchanges and dialogues in disability affairs, and improve mutual trust and win-win cooperation. Guangxi province was the only Chinese province connecting ASEAN countries both by land and sea. Since the CAEXPO was launched in Nanning, great progress had been achieved in all-round exchanges and cooperation. In 2014, the trade volume between Guangxi and ASEAN reached 19.89 billion USD. Guangxi was ready to improve the social welfare and service system for the disabled, and make new contribution to China-ASEAN cooperation.
AKP Mochtan expressed that ASEAN Community would be realized by the end of 2015. In August this year, ASEAN celebrated its 48th anniversary. ASEAN had 60 million disabled persons, which accounted for about 8 percent of its whole population. ASEAN faced huge challenge in dealing with disability affairs, and the international community should pay more attention to disabled persons, especially disabled children. ASEAN was drafting its 2015 vision to build a people-oriented community, and was ready to enhance cooperation in disability affairs with China, with a view to improving the welfare of the disabled and promoting development and prosperity in the region.
Secretary-General Yang Xiuping expressed that protecting the rights of disabled persons and other vulnerable groups was a very important component of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership. Protecting the rights, enhancing the well-being of persons with disabilities, and guarantee their equal participation and immersion into the society was a common task for the international community. China attached great importance to international exchanges and cooperation in disability affairs. ASEAN took the disability development as an important component of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and aimed to build a people-oriented and socially responsible community. She put forward four suggestions to further enhance ASEAN-China cooperation in disability affairs; strengthening policy communication and exchanges between thedepartments in charge of disability affairs; providing more opportunities for disabled persons to start businesses by seizing the opportunities of information technology; conducting cooperation in education, culture and sports for the disabled; and exploring new model of cooperation in healthcare field.
Secretary-General Yang highlighted that ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership entered the Diamond Decade. Both sides should strive to allow disabled person to equally share the fruits of ASEAN-China cooperation. ACC would continue to support ASEAN-China exchanges and cooperation in disability affairs, and make new contribution in enhancing the welfare of our two peoples.
President of ASEAN Disability Council, and government officials from ASEAN countries had in-depth exchanges on the theme of the Forum. The participants shared their work experience and achievements in disability affairs, discussed the future cooperation, and exchanged views in expanding cooperation in the following fields: helping the disabled to recover, providing the disabled with assistive services, creating opportunities for the disabled to get employed, start businesses, and receive vocational training.
Prior to the convening of the Forum, President Lu Yong, Vice Party Secretary Wei Chaoan and Vice President Huang Ribo met with Secretary-General Yang Xiuping and other distinguished guests, and together visited ASEAN-China assistive device exhibition and the talent show of persons with disabilities. Guangxi Disabled Person’s Federation provided assistive device aid fund to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,Thailand and Viet Nam.
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