ACC Secretary-General Met with Secretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia

On 17 October 2015, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), met with H.E. Ms. Soeung Rathchavy and H.E. Mr. Kan Pharidh, Secretary of State and Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Counselor Tan Qingsheng of the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia also attended the meeting.

Secretary-General Yang said that China and Cambodia had remained a close and friendly relationship. China always regarded Cambodia as a sincere and reliable friend. The two countries had all along supported and cooperated with each other in regional and international affairs. Among ASEAN’s relations with its dialogue partners, ASEAN-China relations was one of the most vibrant and fruitful. ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership had formed a multi-dimensional and wide-ranging cooperation pattern. 2016 would witness the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations. China proposed to designate the year 2016 as the Year of ASEAN-China Educational Exchange, which had gained positive responses from ASEAN countries.

Secretary-General Yang made a brief introduction of ACC and its functions. She pointed out that ACC was ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia to participate in the 25th anniversary commemorative activities, promote economic, trade, connectivity, Lancang-Mekong, cultural and people-people cooperation, support the ASEAN Community building, and make new contribution to the sustainable and healthy development of ASEAN-China relations.

H.E. Ms. Soeung Rathchavy and H.E. Mr. Kan Pharidh noted that AEAN-China relations not only promoted the development of ASEAN and China, but also regional peace, security and prosperity. ASEAN and China should continue to enhance mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, enrich the content of Strategic Partnership, and constantly enhance cooperation level. Cambodia highly appreciated the efforts made by ACC in promoting ASEAN-China and Cambodia-China pragmatic cooperation. People-to-people exchanges laid a solid public opinion foundation for ASEAN-China relations. Cambodia expected to strengthen cooperation with ACC, grasp the opportunity of the Year of ASEAN-China Educational Exchange to vigorously undertake colorful activities in culture and youth exchanges, and pass ASEAN-China friendship from generation to generation.