ACC Secretary-General Attended the 2015 Beijing International Forum on People-to-People Friendship

On 12 November 2015, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Secretary-General H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping attended the opening ceremony and main forum of the 2015 Beijing International Forum on People-to-People Friendship. The Forum, with the theme of “Promoting Friendly Civil Exchanges, Discussing Harmonious Urban Development”, was co-organized byBeijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC), Beijing Association for Science and Technology and Beijing Xicheng District Government.

Mme. He Luli, Former Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China and Honorary President of BPAFFC, Mr. Dai Junliang, Standing Member of CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Director-General of Department of United Front Work, Ms. Tian Yan, Executive Vice President of BPAFFC, Mr. Wang Shaofeng, Mayor of Xicheng District of Beijing, Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Ek Sam Ol, President of Cambodia-China Friendship Association and President of the Constitutional Council of Cambodia, Dato' Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, President of Malaysia-China Friendship Association, as well as over 300 representatives from 38 international friendship organizations from 24 countries, and embassies of foreign countries in China attended the Forum.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Dai Junliang, Standing Member of CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Director-General of Department of United Front Work, and Mr. Ek Sam Ol, President of Cambodia-China Friendship Association and President of the Constitutional Council of Cambodia, delivered remarks. Mr. Dai Junliang said that the Forum would conduct outcome demonstrations and policy exchanges on issues including city building and management, old age industry, education and youth, etc., and would contribute to international people-to-people exchanges. Mr. Ek Sam Ol stressed that abundant progress had been made in the development of trade, education, culture and city building in Cambodia. Cambodia supported the "Belt and Road" initiative and looked forward to enhancing connectivity and promoting harmonious development of the society.

Former Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China and Honorary President of BPAFFC Mme. He Luli announced the opening of the Forum.

At the main forum, participants delivered remarks under the theme of “Promoting Friendly Civil Exchanges, Discussing Harmonious Urban Development”. Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC said that city development was an important part of people-to-people diplomacy. It was expected that Beijing, taking the opportunity of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration, would further accelerate steps of internationalization. Xicheng District Mayor Mr. Wang Shaofeng introduced the District’s efforts in international exchanges and pledged to boost cooperation with its sister cities. Participants from Japan, Hungary, Pakistan and the US introduced the efforts of respective countries and cities in conducting people-to-people exchanges, shared experience and proposed suggestions to promote economic and cultural ties as well as city management. Secretary-General Yang interacted with the participants on further promoting ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges.