On 26 September 2016, the opening ceremony of the First China Model ASEAN Meeting was held in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Meeting, under the theme“Hand-in-Hand Promoting Regional Cultural and Educational Exchanges”, was co-sponsored by United Nations Association of China and ASEAN Foundation, organized by Guangxi Normal University with a view to strengthening communication between ASEAN-China young people and promoting educational and cultural exchanges of the two sides. Mr. Lu Shumin, President of the United Naions Association of China, Mr. Huang Xilian, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC, Ms. Wang Nan, Party Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Normal University Committee, Ms. Lv Qing, Inspector of Education Department of Guangxi, Mr. Vithit Powattanasuk, Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Ms. Elaine Tan, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation, and panel of judges, students participants from ASEAN countries and China, ASEAN students obersvers, representatives of faculties and students, totalling about 400 people attended the opening ceremony.
On behalf of ACC, one of the supporters of the event, Director Powattanasuk gave a speech at the opening ceremony. He expressed congratulations on the opening and outlined the development of ASEAN and functions of ACC, saying that the year 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations and ASEAN-China Year of Educational Exchange, ACC had organized or supported a series of colourful activities on youth exchages, and would join hands with people from all walks of life to play a bigger role on promoting mutual understanding and friendship between young people from both ASEAN and China.
During the 5-day meeting, 128 student participants have been divided into 12 groups including delegations of China, 10 ASEAN countries, and ASEAN Secretariat, who will attend Model ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting, ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation, ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, ASEAN Summit, and ASEAN-China Summit. Director Powattanasuk is also one of the judges and will present awards to the winners at the closing ceremony.
