Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Met with Representatives of the 6th ACC JC Meeting

On 17 November 2016, Ms. Li Ming, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, met with the representatives of the 6th Joint Council (JC) Meeting of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC). Permanent Representatives of Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Viet Nam to ASEAN, ACC Secretary-General H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, and officials of ASEAN countries and the Chinese Mission to ASEAN attended the meeting. Officials of the Bureau of Education, the Administration of Culture, Press, Publication, Radio and Television, the Foreign Affairs Office, the Tourism Administration, and the Commission of Commerce of the Guangzhou Municipality were also present.

Vice Mayor Li Ming extended her warm welcome to the delegation and made a briefing on social-economic development of Guangzhou and its exchanges with ASEAN countries. She said that Guangzhou is one of China’s key cities blessed with a long history, rich cultural heritage, and broad development prospects. At present, Guangzhou is building itself into a hub of international transportation and aviation and a centre of science and technology. With regard to the relations with ASEAN countries, Guangzhou has established sister-city relations with Bangkok, Manila, and Surabaya while carrying on frequent exchanges and cooperation with other ASEAN cities such as Ho Chi Minh City. From this advantageous starting point, Guangzhou aspires to boost connectivity with ASEAN countries in air transportation, shipping, and expand concrete cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, and tourism for mutual development.

H.E. Mr. Min Lwin, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to ASEAN said that ACC, after the success of the 6th JC Meeting in Guangzhou, organized a tour for the representatives in Guangzhou for their better knowledge of the city and its cooperation with ASEAN. Guangzhou has made impressive achievements in its social-economic development and cooperation with foreign countries. The advanced level of education, science and technology of Guangzhou were remarkable. Most ASEAN countries have set up Consulates General in Guangzhou so as to serve as important channels for the deepening of cooperation. He wished that both sides be able to fully tap potentials so as to expand cooperation between sister cities and further expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as raise levels of cooperation. H.E. Ms. Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, said that 2017 will be the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the Year of ASEAN-China Tourism Cooperation. She hoped Guangzhou could play a more active role in and provide more support to relevant events so as to forge closer relations with ASEAN countries.

The Vice Mayor also exchanged views with H.E. Mr. Tan Hung Seng, Permanent Representative of Singapore to ASEAN, and H.E. Mr. Nguyen Hoanh Nam, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to ASEAN, on the sustainable development of Guangzhou and expansion of cooperation with ASEAN countries in tourism.