ACC Held Reception in Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations

On 17 September 2021, a reception in celebrating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations was held in Beijing. Mr. Zhang Jiuhuan, special representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Pehin Dato Rahmani Dato Basir, Ambassador of ASEAN Rotating Chair Brunei Darussalam to China, Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of Indonesia to China attended the event together with diplomatic envoys of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, representatives of international organisation, including Mr. Yerik Sarsebek Ashimov, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Mr. Zhang Haizhou, Deputy Secretary-General of SCO, Mr. Azymbakiev Muratbek Abakirovich, Deputy Secretary-General of SCO , officials from central governments of China, former Chinese ambassadors to ASEAN countries and representatives from communities of business, culture, education, tourism, academics and media around two hundred were present.

 In delivering remarks on behalf of the ASEAN side, Ambassador Rahmani stressed that in the 30 years since the establishment of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, the two sides have worked together for peace and stability, promoted regional development and prosperity, and set a fine example of Asia-Pacific regional cooperation. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, ASEAN and China have been working hand in hand with solidarity to fight against the pandemic, which has effectively protected the lives and health of people in the region. As the rotating chair of ASEAN, Brunei is willing to keep working with ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China to deepen cooperation in combating the pandemic, to promote exchanges and sustainable development in various fields including trade, people-to-people exchanges and etc, to continuously enhance the level of ASEAN-China strategic partnership. The two sides should keep caring about each other and looking out for each other, which will surely bring mutual prosperity. He extended deep gratitude to the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) for its unremitting efforts to promote ASEAN-China relations since the establishment and wished ACC greater development.

Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ACC, showed great gratitude to the Chinese and AMS governments and the social communities for their long-standing support and assistance to ACC's work. Chen said that since the establishment of dialogue relations in 1991, ASEAN and China have made great achievements in enhancing political mutual trust, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. ASEAN-China relations have pursued harmony and win-win cooperation, which has become an important pillar for peace and stability, as well as a powerful engine for development and prosperity in the  East Asia region. Facing the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN and China have joined hands to fight the virus, shared information and experience in epidemic prevention and control, vaccine research & development and public health management, and worked together to restore economic and social recovery. Standing at a new historical starting point, the two sides should look forward for the cooperation in the next 30 years, grasp the new opportunities and forge a closer community with brighter prospects. ACC will work tirelessly with all partners to make greater contributions to the all-round, in-depth, sustainable and resilient strategic partnership between ASEAN and China.

Secretary-General Chen Dehai, Ambassador Zhang Jiuhuan, Ambassador Rahmani, Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun, representatives of AMS embassies and international organizations cut the commemorative cake and witnessed the official launch of the ASEAN Cultural Handbook Series. A video of congratulatory message from AMS Ambassadors and Chinese Envoys to AMS was played, the Blue Sky Little Angels Art Troupe, Capital Normal University, ACC and Yiwu City also brought wonderful performances including dance, Tai Chi and Wuju Opera, which added a festive and joyful atmosphere to the reception. The guests wished ASEAN-China relations a higher level and ACC to exert more influence in the future.