ACC Secretary-General Met with Leaders of Fujian Province

On 8 November 2015, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), met with officials from Fujian Province and Quanzhou City, including Mr. You Quan, Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, Mr. Li Shulei, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and Head of the Publicity Department of the People’s Government of Fujian Province, Mme. Li Hong, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Fujian Province, Mr. Zheng Xiaosong, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Fujian Province, Mr. Zheng Xincong, Secretary of the CPC Quanzhou Municipal Committee, Mr. Kang Tao, Mayor of the People’s Government of Quanzhou City, and exchanged views on further enhancing cultural exchanges and cooperation between Fujian Province and Quanzhou city and ASEAN Member States.

Secretary You Quan said as the starting point and cradle of the Maritime Silk Road, Fujian had a long history with rich culture. Its development would benefite from the national strategy of building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which entrusted new era Connotation to the ancient Maritime Silk Road and would deepen regional cooperation and further promote the prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. He believed there were tremendous opportunities for cooperation between Fujian and ASEAN countries, many of which were along the Maritime Silk Road. He hoped Fujian could strengthen cooperation and partnership with ACC so as to continue to further the development of ASEAN-China relations.

Mr. Kang Tao said Quanzhou city was unique for its multi-culture and inclusiveness, which led to a harmonious fusion of religious beliefs, including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Taoism. Moreover, Quanzhou was not only viewed as the important base of exchanges and cooperation between Fujian and Taiwan, but also regarded as the hometown of significant number of Chinese people who settled in ASEAN Member States. He emphasized that Quanzhou Municipal Government had been vigorously implementing the Going Global Strategy, encouraging local enterprises to attend business investment events and Expo abroad. He expected that ACC could provide support and facilitation for Quanzhou’s cooperation with ASEAN Member States.

Secretary-General Yang introduced the development of ASEAN-China relations and briefed on ACC’s mandate and work. She said the sound cultural exchanges and cooperation between Fujian and ASEAN had a long history and brought tangible benefits to the peoples of two sides. Quanzhou, one of the starting points of the ancient Maritime Silk Road with its beauty, affluence and profound cultural deposits, could play a very important role for the exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and China in culture and other areas. 2016 would mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, and a series of rich and colorful celebration activities would be held in both sides. She added that Fujian would be warmly welcomed to participate so as to further and deepen ASEAN-China functional cooperation.