ACC Attended Book Launch of “Annual Report on the Development of ASEAN-China Cooperation2014-2015”

On 16 September 2015, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was invited to attend the Book Launch of the “Annual Report on the Development of ASEAN-China Cooperation 2014-2015”, hosted by China-ASEAN Research Institute (CARI) of Guangxi University in Nanning. Ms. Lada Phumas, Director of Information and Public Relations Division (IPRD), was assigned to represent ACC and participated in the Launch, where almost a hundred of participants including the faculty members, students and journalists from Xinhua News Agency, China News Agency, People.cn, China Science News, Guangxi Daily, gxnews.com.cn and Nanning Evening Post, etc., were also present and joined an interactive discussion at the Book launching event.

Professor Shang Nahong, Vice President of Guangxi University, made the opening remarks, highlighting the importance of ASEAN-China relations and Guangxi University’s roles and achievements in the researches relating to ASEAN-China relations. This was followed by the congratulatory remarks on the publication of the Book from Mr. Xu Ningning, Executive President of China-ASEAN Business Council (CABC), who opined that this Report merited a translation into English for reference of the wider ASEAN readers and beyond. 

Professor Liang Ying, Director of CARI and Chairman of the Editorial Committee of the Report, Mr. Feng Bin, Director of Publishing Centre of International Studies of China Social Sciences Press, Professor Li Qing, Secretary-General of Guangdong Research Institute for International Strategies, and Mr. Lu Jianren, Launcher and Chief Editor from CARI of the Report, shared their respective experience in the compiling process of the Report as well as their encouraging views about the Report.

During Q&A session, many questions were raised on ASEAN-China relations, particularly in light of the current theme of the 12th CAEXPO, which Guangxi had promoted this annual platform to enhance closer linkages between China and ASEAN, challenges and prospects of ASEAN-China maritime cooperation. After all interactive debates on those issues of interest among the audience, Director Lada of ACC made an overview of the history, current development and achievements of ASEAN-China relations, entering into the Diamond Decade of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership, which had set an excellent exemplary relationship between ASEAN and its dialogue partners. She emphasized the importance of strengthening mutual understandings, intensifying cooperation, creating a favourable ambience as well as keeping good momentum of dialogues and consultations for sustainable and win-win cooperation in ASEAN-China relations. Director Lada took this opportunity to also brief the participants on roles of ACC to promote ASEAN-China functional cooperation on trade, investment, education, culture and tourism. ACC also enhanced closer cooperation with media, which had played significant roles in raising awareness on ASEAN-China relations, by organizing the two “Reporting Trips” in support of the leaders’ initiatives such as a building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, ASEAN Community building, and ASEAN-China connectivity, etc. 

The Book was the fruition of research conducted by CARI of Guangxi University and the Collaborative Innovation Centre for China-ASEAN Regional Development. It comprised the general report on review and outlook of 2014 China-ASEAN cooperation in 2014 and 2015 and series of reviews of the cooperation in a wide range of areas such as politics, economy, diplomacy, security, society and culture, and etc. The Book was only in Chinese language and aimed at raising awareness about ASEAN and ASEAN-China relations among the Chinese general public.