The 7th Informal Meeting among Secretaries General of ACC, AJC and AKC was held in Tokyo

On 19 April 2016, the 7th Informal Meeting among Secretaries General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) and ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC), was held in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting was moderated by H.E. Mr. Masataka Fujita, Secretary General of AJC. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC, and H.E. Mr. Kim Young-sun, Secretary General of AKC, attended the meeting.  

Mr. Masataka Fujita said this meeting aimed at implementing the important consensus reached at the 18th ASEAN Plus Three Summit to further push forward cooperation among the three Centres. It was also hoped that this meeting would explore exchange between the three Centres and other regional organizations, so as to promote the process of economic integration of the region. Secretary-General Kim Young-sun and Secretary-General Mme. Yang Xiuping expressed their appreciation for AJC’s thoughtful arrangements of the meeting, and wished the meeting would achieve positive results. They also mourned the dead and extended condolences to the bereaved families and the injured in the strong earthquakes of Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture.

The meeting reviewed the progress of cooperation among the Centres since their last meeting in Manila in January 2016. It was agreed that the Centres should continue to strengthen communication and coordination to push forward their cooperation. The Centres shared information and experience on their flagship project, agreed to conduct frequent exchange of personnel and information, and discussed relevant projects on improving mutual understanding and friendship among the youth. The Centres agreed to identify more converging interests through concerted efforts, and join hands to serve the people of this region in a practical manner step by step.

Upon invitation, Mr. Tetsuya Matsuoka, Representative of East Asia Business Council (EABC) and Manager of International Division of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, introduced the mandate of EABC and its efforts in promoting the development of SMEs of East Asia. EABC expected to strengthen communication with the Centres and design and implement joint projects. The Centres had interaction with EABC on their respective concerns, and agreed to take this opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and explore possibility of future cooperation.  

The Centres agreed that the next meeting should be held in Korea.