On 2 December 2016, the 1st China-ASEAN Youth Summit, themed on “Voice of Youth on China-ASEAN Cooperation”, kicked off at Peking University. The Summit was organized by Peking University Institute of Ocean Research and Sina Global. ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was one of the supporters of the event. Around 150 participants including Professor Zhai Kun, Director of Centre for Global Policy Studies at Peking University Institute of Ocean Research, Mr. Chen Yongli, Secretary of Communist Youth League Committee at Peking University, Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC, Mr. Wan Xuejun, Director-General of International Liaison Department of Central Committee of Communist Youth League of China, Mr. Wang Peijun, Representative from the Public Diplomacy Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Ms. Wang Wei, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sina News, as well as Chinese and ASEAN student representatives attended the opening ceremony.
In her keynote speech, Secretary-General Yang Xiuping reviewed the achievements of ASEAN-China relations over the past 25 years, looked forward to future cooperation prospects, and proposed some suggestions. She stressed that under the new situation of the regional development, China and ASEAN should seize the opportunity and synergize China’s 13th Five-Year Plan with 2025 Vision of ASEAN Community to strengthen strategic link and continue to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to further enlarge the cake of common benefits. She stated that ASEAN-China relations needs active participation of the youth from both sides. Strengthening exchanges of views between the youth will help to cultivate future leaders with global visions and inclusiveness, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and consolidate the basis of ASEAN-China relations. She highlighted ACC’s efforts and achievements in supporting youth exchanges against the backdrop of the Year of ASEAN-China Educational Exchange, encouraging all the young students to fulfill the historic mission on their shoulders and carry forward the ASEAN-China friendship from generation to generation.
Professor Zhai Kun pointed out that the growth of university students nowadays is closely related with the development of ASEAN-China relations, and it is expected young students from both sides could play more important roles in strengthening ASEAN-China relations. Peking University strives to create a platform for ASEAN-China student connection and communication, establish youth think-tank and build youth innovation and entrepreneurship base, to further make contributions to youth exchanges between the two sides.
The other guests expressed congratulations on the convening of the China-ASEAN Youth Summit, and hoped the young students could align with the current international and regional situation, contribute ideas and suggestions, increase understanding and mutual trust, and reach extensive consensus, to play positive roles in promoting sustainable development of ASEAN-China relations.
During the two and half days’ summit, the participating students carried out dialogues on important regional issues of ASEAN-China relations through various activities such as lectures, seminars, model meetings and cultural performances.
京公网安备 11010502040265号