Remarks by ACC Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Chen Dehai at the Reception in Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the ASEAN-China Centre

Your Excellency Mr. Liu Jinsong, Director-General of Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China,

Your Excellency Mr. Pehin Dato Rahmani, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to China,

Excellencies, Dear Colleagues from the AMS Embassies in China,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

It gives me great pleasure to have so many friends attending the reception in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-China Centre. On behalf of ACC, I would like to express my warmest welcome to all of you. Thank you, Director-General Liu Jinsong and Ambassador Pehin Dato Rahmani for your warm remarks. I also wish to thank the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China for co-organising the photo exhibition on ASEAN-China agricultural cooperation at this special occasion.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, 

Over the past decade, we have witnessed the surging development of ASEAN-China relationship with fruitful results, benefiting more people and serving the common interests of the two sides. 

Over the past decade, ACC, as the only inter-governmental organization jointly established by ten ASEAN Member States and China, has earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by leaders of the two sides. We have worked together with governments and civil society to steadily boost friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in six major areas, namely, trade, investment, education, culture, tourism, media and information, actively contributing to the relations which have just been elevated to ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Over the past decade, ACC has fully harnessed our role as a one-stop information and activities centre. Working together with partners of ASEAN and China, we have carried out exchanges and cooperation in various areas, generating sound economic and social benefits and gaining popularity in the public. We have reached out to the whole people, providing accurate information about ASEAN-China cooperation in a timely, accessible and innovative manner. A short while later, we will also witness the official release of two ACC research reports, one on trade and the other on media cooperation between ASEAN and China, jointly conducted by ACC and our think tank partners. 

In face of the impact of COVID-19, ACC has made unremitting efforts to organize a series of events including symposium on public health cooperation, vaccine friend cooperation exchanges and digital economy cooperation conference, with an aim to jointly cope with the common challenges. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, 

ACC’s achievements over the decade have been strongly supported and widely acknowledged by the governments and all sectors of ASEAN and China. What inspired us most is the Joint Statement of the Special Summit in November highlighting “the positive role the ASEAN-China Centre has played in promoting socio-cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides over the past decade since its establishment.” This recognition provides stronger driving force for ACC to work harder in future. 

Here on behalf of the ASEAN-China Centre, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and high respect to the governments of 10 ASEAN Member States and China for the strong support, and all colleagues from AMS Embassies and the ACC Secretariat for your hard work. My thanks also go to all the friends from different sectors for your dedication and support to the establishment and development of ACC over the decade. Without your support, ACC can hardly achieve what we are today. And I hope we will continue to have your valuable support in future. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, 

ASEAN-China relationship is standing at a new starting point, with the elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the entry into force of RCEP next year. Looking ahead, ACC will keep up the momentum, continue to play its part as a one-stop activities and information centre, and remain committed to implementing the important consensus reached by our leaders, and building a solid foundation of social-cultural and people-to-people exchanges for the future development of ASEAN-China relations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, 

Today is also the Winter Solstice of the 24 Chinese solar terms. If winter comes, spring will not be far behind. As we are approaching the end of year 2021, we all look forward to a prosperous year ahead. So allow me to propose a toast:

For the everlasting friendship between ASEAN and China, 

For a more promising future of ASEAN-China Centre, 

For a wonderful New Year, good health, happiness and success in all your endeavors! 

Cheers!