ASEAN-China Products Trade Centre Inaugurated

On 19 December 2013, ASEAN-China Products Trade Centre (ACPTC) was inaugurated in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province. Mr. Ma Mingqiang, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre, Mr. Tang Lilu, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Zhejiang Province, Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Director-General of Department of ASEAN Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. He Meihua, Mayor of Yiwu, unveiled the plate of the Centre and delivered remarks respectively. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Ngurah Swajaya, Indonesian Permanent Representative to ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Somdy Bounkhoum, Lao Ambassador to China, H.E. Mr. Tan Heng Seng, Singaporean Permanent Representative to ASEAN, and representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei and Embassy of the Philippines in China, together with more than 200 representatives from business communities, attended the ceremony.

In January 2012, ACC and Yiwu Government signed an MoU, agreeing to construct ACPTC in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province. At the 9th ASEAN-China Business and Investment Summit held in September 2012, then Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping encouraged ASEAN companies to make full use of the new platform of ACPTC in Yiwu to promote ASEAN products and increase market shares in China. By now, enterprises and business associations from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam have set up booths in ACPTC, and the booths of Brunei, Myanmar and the Philippines are in active preparation. Taking the opportunity of an opening of ACPTC, ACC organized CPR delegation to visit Yiwu and attend the inauguration ceremony of ACPTC.

ACC Secretary-General Ma Mingqiang expressed that as the only inter-governmental organization between ASEAN and China, ACC is dedicated to provide one-stop information and activity service to ASEAN-China trade cooperation. To implement the consensus reached by ASEAN and Chinese leaders and enhance substantial trade cooperation between the two sides, ACPTC is now established in the largest commodity market in China. It will not only facilitate ASEAN products’ access to China, and showcase advantages and benefits of ASEAN-China FTA, but also introduce ASEAN products to the whole world through the vigorous Yiwu market. 

Mr. Tang Lilu, Vice Chairman of CPPCC of Zhejiang, said that Zhejiang Province is accelerating to open up to domestic and foreign markets and taking part in global integration of industry and economy. With the full-fledged logistic and sales channels of Yiwu, ACPTC will offer a high-quality platform for ASEAN products to access the Chinese market. He hoped Zhejiang Province could seize this opportunity to expand good relations with ASEAN Member States, deepen win-win economic cooperation and bring benefits to the people of both sides.

ASEAN representative, Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Director-General of Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, said that China ranks No. 1 trade partner of ASEAN and ASEAN is China’s 3rd largest trade partner. In 2012, bilateral trade volume exceeded USD 400 billion. The leaders of both sides set new trade goals of USD 500 billion in 2015 and USD 1 trillion in 2020. ACPTC will provide Chinese consumers with more good-quality ASEAN commodities and benefit the peoples of both sides.

Yiwu Mayor Mr. He Meihua emphasized that the establishment and development of ACPTC would create an even broader space for trade and economic cooperation between Yiwu and ASEAN Member States. It is a new platform to showcase ASEAN products, and a new starting point for bilateral cooperation. He hoped the two sides would use this opportunity to strengthen trade cooperation to achieve mutual benefit and common development. 

After the inauguration ceremony, the distinguished guests paid a visit to ACPTC and expressed their best wishes to ACPTC.