On 19 April 2021, the ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors’ Dialogue of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 was held both online and offline under the theme of “Mutual Support for Common Development: Cooperation Between Local Governments in the Post-COVID-19 Era”. The event was co-hosted by the People’s Government of Hainan Province and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), in which the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) acted as a supporter. Mr. Feng Fei, Governor of Hainan Province, Mr. Lin Songtian, President of CPAFFC and Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ACC attended and addressed the event. Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of Indonesia to China,Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Ambassador of Thailand to China, Mr. UNG Vantha, Consul General of Cambodia in Haikou, Ms.Vanhpheng Saisomphou, Consul General of Lao PDR in Guangzhou, Mr. Marshall Loulferez, Consul General of the Philippines in Guangzhou and the governors/mayors from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China as well as provincial and municipal representatives from Republic of Korea and Belarus attended the event.
Governor Feng Fei stated that Hainan is the sole free trade port with Chinese characteristics, connecting mainland of China and Southeast Asia which are two of the world’s most dynamic markets. With the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and acceleration of the building of the free trade port, the exchanges and cooperation between the governments of AMS and Hainan Province would surely be even closer. The two sides should further smooth the channels for communication, improve transportation networks, promote mutual investment and deepen medical and educational cooperation, so as to make greater contributions to the development of ASEAN-China relations.
President Lin Songtian said through video link that since the establishment of ASEAN-China dialogue relations 30 years ago, the cooperation in various fields between the two sides has yielded fruitful results. ASEAN and China witnessed dynamic people-to-people exchanges and have forged 219 pairs of sister-city relationships. CPAFFC is willing to work with the local governments and the people of AMS to actively build platforms for bilateral and multilateral dialogue, exchanges and cooperation and make new and greater contributions to enhancing mutual understanding, deepening friendship, increasing cooperation, maintaining peace and promoting common development.
Secretary-General Chen Dehai noted that local cooperation is an important part of ASEAN-China strategic partnership.ACC has always attached great importance to the cooperation at local levels and has established wide partnership network with local governments, enterprises, universities and other organizations of ASEAN and China. In 2021, ACC would take the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN-China dialogue relations and the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation as an opportunity, further expand cooperation with provinces and cities of both sides and make unremitting efforts to promote regional development and prosperity.
The delegates held discussions around the three topics of “mutual support in COVID-19 response”, “joint efforts for common development” and “greater connectivity through openness and inclusiveness”. They were confident that ASEAN-China cooperation will embrace a broader prospect for development at this new starting point in history. The two sides should continue to promote friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields between the local governments in the post-COVID-19 era, enhance cooperation in COVID-19 response, strengthen public health governance, promote new business forms and models for cooperation, facilitate the digital transformation of economy, vigorously strengthen connectivity, advance the Belt and Road cooperation, seize the opportunity of the signing of RCEP to promote regional economic and trade integration, and achieve win-win cooperation to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.
Following the discussions, the meeting announced that the Sports and the Culture Development Alliance and Maritime Silk Road Art Education Alliance jointly initiated by ACC and Hainan University were officially formed. In addition, the ASEAN-China Joint Initiative of ASEAN-ChinaGovernors/Mayors’ Dialogue 2021 was signed jointly by all parties.
Prior to and after the Dialogue, Secretary-General Chen Dehai met and exchanged views with Ms. Liu Hongmei, Deputy Director-General of Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province and Mr. Jacque Pellet, Director of the East Asian Representative Office of International Committee of Red Cross.
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