2021 ASEAN-China Fair Successfully Held in Beijing

On 14 September 2021, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) co-hosted the 2021 ASEAN-China Fair with Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC) to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ACC, Pehin Dato Rahmani Dato Basir, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to China and spouse, Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of Indonesia to China and spouse, Mrs. Khamphao Ernthavanh, Ambassador of Lao PDR to China and spouse, Mr. Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, Ambassador of Malaysia to China and spouse, Mr. Myo Thant Pe, Ambassador of Myanmar to China, Ms. Shen Minjuan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Ms. Liu Yuhong, Vice President of BPAFFC, Mr. Wang Wei, Member of Standing Committee of Yiwu Municipal Committee, Vice Mayor of Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province, diplomats from the embassies of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in China, as well as representatives of relevant ministries, organisations, universities, companies and media from both ASEAN and China, including the Ministry of Education of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Center for Language Education and Cooperation, the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, the Organizing Committee of China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, and the China Education Association for International Exchange, in total around 180 guests attended the event.

Secretary-General Chen Dehai stated in his remarks that since the establishment of dialogue relations between ASEAN and China 30 years ago, fruitful results of cooperation have been achieved in all areas. ASEAN and China set an example of most successful relations in Asia-Pacific. People-to-people exchanges is one of the important pillars of ASEAN-China relations. By hosting the 2021 ASEAN-China Fair, ACC wishes to present the rich and colorful cultures of ASEAN and China, and provide a platform for lively interactions within the ASEAN-China family for future friendship and cooperation.

Deputy Director-General Shen Minjuan emphasised in her remarks that 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of ACC, which has became a bridge of friendship and a platform of cooperation for China and ASEAN with the joint efforts of both sides. China will continue to fully support ACC’s work, and focus on the next 30 years, strive to push the China-ASEAN strategic partnership to a higher level, and contribute to respective development as well as long-term prosperity and stability in the region.

Ambassador Rahmani said that as the ASEAN Rotating Chair, Brunei is working closely with China. ASEAN is proud of its diversity, turn it into strength, and maintain solidarity. ASEAN appreciates China’s support for ASEAN Centrality in the regional cooperation and China’s constructive contributions towards ASEAN’s Community building with the three pillars of political security, economy and social culture.

BPAFFC Vice President Ms. Liu Yuhong said that BPAFFC has been committed to enhancing mutual understanding, friendship, and mutual trust between the Chinese people and the people of AMS, and has forged close ties with 27 friendship organisations and institutions in all AMS, and hosted various exchange activities in education, culture, sports, tourism, youth and other fields, thus contributing to the closer ASEAN-China friendly civil society relations. 

The ASEAN-China Fair showcased the colorful culture and arts as well as unique traditional cuisine of AMS and Beijing and Yiwu. Artists and friends from ASEAN and China presented wonderful performances such as dances, music, singing, and martial arts. The invited guests visited the intangible cultural heritage display with great interest, experienced the Woodblock printing and Tang Dynasty pattern glass cushion making provided by China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, the gold lacquer painting provided by Beijing Eight Imperial Handicrafts Museum, and the paper cutting provided by Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province. In a delightful and relaxed atmosphere, the guests exchanged views and interacted with each other，enjoyed the unique charm of diverse cultures and shared views on the bright prospects for ASEAN-China friendly cooperation.