ACC Secretary-General Met with Deputy Director-General of Foreign (Overseas Chinese) Affairs Office of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

On 23 August 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with Mr. Ren Xinjun, Deputy Director-General of Foreign (Overseas Chinese) Affairs Office of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Mr. Farhad Kamal, Director of Protocol Division of Foreign (Overseas Chinese) Affairs Office, Ms. Meilina Keyoumu, Deputy Director of Protocol Division of Foreign (Overseas Chinese) Affairs Office, and Mr. Huang Jingrui, Deputy Director of Foreign Liaison Department of China-Eurasia Expo Secretariat, attended the meeting.

Deputy Director-General Ren briefed on foreign exchanges of Xinjiang. He stated that Xinjiang continuously expands channels for foreign exchanges and deepens practical cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road in trade, culture and other areas, all of which have achieved good results. Xinjiang possesses similarities in customs and cuisines with Malaysia and Indonesia of which the population majority are Muslims. Therefore, both sides share broad prospects of cooperation. As a core area of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xinjiang would like to further promote cooperation with ASEAN countries and enhance mutual understanding so as to achieve win-win results and common development. Deputy Director-General Ren expected to achieve more cooperation fruits between ASEAN and Xinjiang on the platforms provided by ACC.

Secretary-General Yang outlined the process of ASEAN-China relations and the work of ACC. She cited that since its inception, ACC has been committed to implementing important consensus reached by both sides’ leaders, and promoting practical cooperation in trade, investment, education, culture, tourism and information and media. This year marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation. The year ahead marks the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership. Bilateral relations are facing new opportunities. With local exchanges and cooperation as an important part of ASEAN-China cooperation, ACC would like to maintain close contacts with Foreign (Overseas Chinese) Affairs Office of Xinjiang and serve as a bond and bridge to link Xinjiang with ASEAN countries for in-depth cooperation.