ACC Representative Participated in the 8th ASEAN+3 Village Leaders Exchange Programme (2019-05-07)

From 5 to 7 May 2019, the representative of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) participated in the 8th ASEAN+3 Village Leaders Exchange Program (VLEP) hosted by the International Poverty Alleviation Centre in China (IPRCC). Over 80 representatives, including government officials, village leaders, experts and scholars from ASEAN Member States, China and the Republic of Korea, participated in the programmme.

IPRCC Deputy Director-General Zhang Guangping and representatives from ASEAN Member States, Yunnan Provincial Government and ASEAN Secretariat delivered remarks at the opening ceremony. Ms. Zhang Guangping said that the “ASEAN+3 VLEP” is a significant programme to implement Premier Li Keqiang’s initiative at the ASEAN Plus Three Summit in 2013. The programme has been widely recognized as an institutionalized exchange activity for international poverty reduction. This year, the theme of the programme is “Rural Revitalization and Integrated Village Governance”. Participants are expected to gain an in-depth understanding of China’s rural economic, social development and poverty alleviation through theme lectures, presentations and field visits, so as to learn from best practices, promote rural community development and contribute to poverty reduction in the region. Ms. Yang Yanying, Chairwoman of the CPPCC Mengla County Committee warmly welcomed the international delegation. She hoped that participants see first-hand the achievements of poverty alleviation in Xishuangbanna through field visits and home-stay with villagers. Mr. Elias C. Labro, Jr., Head Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff of National Anti-Poverty Commission of the Republic of the Philippines and Ms. Ajeng Purnama Pratiwi, Poverty Eradication and Gender Officer of ASEAN Secretariat, applauded the programme for enhancing poverty reduction capacity at grass-root level. They both expressed wishes to exchange views with the participants and learn about each country’s national strategy, policies and practical experience.

During the programme, a series of lectures were given to the participants on topics including “China’s Experience in Poverty Alleviation and Development”, “Rural Vitalization & Targeted Poverty Alleviation” and “Development Planning of Rural Community”. Poverty reduction policies and rural governance practice of each country were shared through case studies. Participants also made a study tour to the rural community in Hebian Village, Mengla County, where they shared the same roof and food with villagers and learnt about the model of “party committee + social organization + villagers” in Hebian Village. Lively discussions on achievements and challenges were inspired in a cordial atmosphere. Participants spoke highly of the “ASEAN+3 VLEP”, commenting that it would facilitate mutual assistance and cooperation among different countries at both central and grass-root levels and promote common development in the whole region.