On 14 October 2016, ACC Secretary-General H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping met with Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn and exchanged views on China-Thailand and ASEAN-China cooperation.
Secretary-General Yang expressed deepest condolences over the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. She mentioned ACC’s work in terms of promoting ASEAN-China culture and tourism cooperation in recent years. By seizing opportunity of 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations and Year of ASEAN-China Educational Exchange, ACC had organized and participated in more than 100 activities this year. These events were very successful with great support from ASEAN Member States including Thailand. Year 2017 would be 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN as well as the Year of ASEAN-China Tourism Cooperation. It would be a great opportunity for deepening culture exchanges and enhancing tourism cooperation between the two sides. ACC would continue to implement the consensus of the leaders of ASEAN and China by leveraging its own strength and working with Thailand, in order to further promote China-Thailand and ASEAN-China friendly cooperation.
General Tanasak thanked Secretary-General Yang for her heartfelt condolences. He said that Thailand and China enjoyed traditional friendship over generations and witnessed constantly deepening cooperation in various areas. Tourism was one of the economic pillars of Thailand. Chinese tourists, over 8 million last year, were the bulk of Thailand inbound tourists. Thailand would seek closer coordination with China to ensure better services to tourists from around the world including China. He appreciated Secretary-General Yang for her participation in the World Tourism Day celebrations in Bangkok last month. He spoke highly of ACC’s contribution to ASEAN-China practical cooperation and the role as an important platform for friendly exchanges between the two sides. Finally, General Tanasak reconfirmed that Thailand was willing to co-host projects and events with the Centre and continue to push forward Thailand-China cooperation with new progress.