Thailand-China Parliamentarians Friendship Group Delegation Visited ACC

On 23 November 2015, the Thailand-China Parliamentarians Friendship Group delegation visited ASEAN-China Centre (ACC). The 9-member delegates comprised members of the National Legislative Assembly, members of the Executive Committee of the Thailand-China Parliamentarians Friendship Group and foreign affairs officers of the International Relations Bureau of the Secretariat of the House of Representatives. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Apipong Khunakornbodintr, Minister Counsellor (Trade and Investment Promotion) of the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing.

Ms. Huang Ying, Director of General Affairs and Coordination Division (GACD) of ACC, on behalf of H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC, extended a warm welcome to the delegation. She briefed the guests on ACC’s mandates, organizational structure and its development in light of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership in the Diamond Decade. She stated that 2015 was the 40th anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations and ASEAN would fully realize its Community building. 2016 would mark the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, and ASEAN and China agreed to designate 2016 as the Year of ASEAN-China Educational Exchange. This would provide new opportunities for the future of ASEAN-China relations. ACC would continue to make more innovative and pioneering efforts to implement the common consensus reached by the leaders of both sides and contribute to the further elevation of functional cooperation between ASEAN and China.

Hon. Mr. Satit Chanjavanakul, President of the Thailand-China Parliamentarians Friendship Group and Head of the delegation, expressed his appreciation for ACC’s warm welcome. He showed his keen interest in the development of ACC as an inter-governmental organization co-founded by the governments of ASEAN and China, with a composition of 4 representatives, as Directors and Deputy Directors, from ASEAN countries, namely, Brunei, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Thailand. He wished ACC would continue its efforts to play an active role in further promoting the development of ASEAN-China as well as Thailand-China relations. 

Directors and Deputy Directors of General Administration and Coordination Division (GACD), Trade and Investment Division (TID), Education, Culture and Tourism Division (ECTD), Information and Public Relations Division (IPRD) of ACC briefed the delegation on their respective duties and recent activities. They had an interactive exchange of views with the guests, in a friendly atmosphere, on China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, and how ACC could enhance investment opportunities, trade facilitation, strengthen the cooperation with SMEs, and push forward people-to-people linkages between ASEAN and China through education, culture, tourism, information and media exchanges.

The delegates also had a short tour to the exhibition in the annex room of ACC ASEAN Hall. The delegation was invited to visit China on 22-27 November 2015 as guest of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.