On 31 May 2019, the 2nd session of Joint Executive Board (JEB) Working Group Meeting of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was held at the ACC Secretariat. Representatives from the Department of Asian Affairs of Chinese Foreign Ministry and embassies of ASEAN Member States in Beijing attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Wang Hongliu, Director of General Affairs and Coordination Division of ACC. Heads of all divisions of ACC were present.
Ms. Wang Hongliu expressed her gratitude for the JEB’s strong support to the ACC Secretariat. She said that seizing new opportunities for ASEAN-China relations in 2019 which was designated as ASEAN-China Year of Media Exchanges, ACC maintained close contacts with all members of JEB, and had been committed to implementing the flagship projects and work in key areas approved by ACC Joint Council on the basis of wide consultation, thus making its due contributions to ASEAN-China practical cooperation.
Ms. Kulapa Suaprae, First Secretary of Thai Embassy, briefed the meeting on Thailand’s efforts to promote ASEAN-China relations as the rotating Chair of ASEAN in 2019. She expressed appreciation for the Secretariat’s hard work and notable outcomes achieved in implementing the leaders’ consensus, and promoting the development of ASEAN-China relations and cooperation within the framework of ASEAN-China Year of Media Exchanges. Mr. Cheng Hongbo, Deputy Director of Regional Cooperation Division of the Department of Asian Affairs of Chinese Foreign Ministry, updated the meeting on the development of ASEAN-China relations, especially the outcomes of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing in April and the 25th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation held in Hangzhou recently. He stressed that China is ready to work with ASEAN to promote ASEAN-China relations to a new level.
Heads of ACC divisions reviewed the progress of each division’s work since March 2019 and outlined the work plan for the next stage. Ms. Wang Hongliu gave a sketch of ACC’s preliminary work plan for 2020. The JEB members appreciated the series of activities conducted by ACC Secretariat since last JEB Working Group Meeting, commended its efforts in promoting cooperation in various fields, and put forward constructive ideas and suggestions on ACC priority projects for the next stage and 2020 work plan. They pledged full support to and close collaboration with ACC Secretariat as always in hope of making new progress in ASEAN-China exchanges and cooperation in various fields.