On 2 September 2016, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), gave interviews to China National Radio (CNR), Xinhua News Agency and CCTV-affiliated website on the upcoming 19th ASEAN-China Summit and the commemorative summit marking the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, as well as ASEAN-China relations.
Secretary-General Yang said that 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations and the ASEAN-China Year of Educational Exchange. It is also the first year after the establishment of ASEAN Community and the opening year of China’s 13th Five-Year Plan, which makes it a year of special historical significance. The 19th ASEAN-China Summit will be held in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 7 September. With the concerted efforts of the two sides, this Summit is expected to yield fruitful results and inject greater impetus into ASEAN-China relations and East Asia cooperation.
Secretary-General Yang said, over the past 25 years, ASEAN and China have established an all-dimensional, multi-tiered and wide-ranging cooperation platform with their interests more closely intertwined. ASEAN-China relations have been the most active and fruitful one among all the relations ASEAN has made with its dialogue partners, which has promoted their respective economic and social development as well as cooperation in East Asia and has become an important pillar for regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. In confronting with the sluggish global economic recovery, ASEAN and China should work together for a more closely knit community of shared future. First, both sides should further strengthen strategic docking, that is to say, to align China's 13th Five-Year Plan with the 2025 Vision of the ASEAN Community, and to find more common needs and convergence of interests. Second, both sides should take the opportunity of upgraded version of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) to promote bilateral trade in goods and service, cement economic and technological cooperation for improved and more efficient economic and trade cooperation. Third, both sides should promote the Belt and Road construction, boost connectivity and cooperation in production capacity, make good use of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund, expand financial cooperation, and initiate more pilot projects for more substantive progress. Fourth, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation should be strengthened to promote common development of the subregion to facilitate the ASEAN Community building. Fifth, we should deepen and expand people-to-people exchange and exchange in culture, tourism, youth, women’s affairs and carry out activities of the ASEAN-China Year of Educational Exchange to enhance mutual trust and friendship.
Secretary-General Yang also mentioned the functions and work of ACC. She said that ACC serves the 2 billion people of 10 ASEAN countries and China. Over the five years since its inception, ACC has vigorously implemented the consensus of the leaders of the two sides, promoted functional cooperation in trade, investment, education, culture, tourism and media, completed more than 90 flagship projects, hosted or participated in over 500 activities. This year, ACC has organized a series of colorful activities including ASEAN-China Week, ASEAN-China Day Fair, cultural performances and youth summer camp, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations as well as the Year of Educational Exchange. ACC remains committed to be the facilitator of good-neighborliness and mutual trust, promoter of functional cooperation, and messenger of friendship between both sides, and make relentless efforts to deepen ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership.
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