On 12 June 2018, H.E. Dato' Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN visited the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), and exchanged views with H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC on the deepening of ASEAN-China friendly exchanges and cooperation. Mr. Bala Kumar Palaniappan, Director of External Relations of ASEAN Political-Security Community Department and division chiefs of ACC were present.
Secretary-General Yang Xiuping warmly welcomed Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and his delegation, and expressed appreciation to ASEAN Secretariat for its commitment to promoting ASEAN-China friendly exchanges and cooperation and its long time strong support for ACC. Secretary-General Yang gave an overview of the work of ACC since its inception in 2011, and particularly elaborated on the work in 2018 to echo the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China strategic partnership and ASEAN-China Year of Innovation. She said that at present, both ASEAN and China are at a critical period of development. ASEAN-China relations face new opportunities and practical cooperation between the two sides enjoy broad prospects. She said that ACC hopes to work closely with the ASEAN Secretariat to continue to boost the friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in trade, investment, education, culture, tourism as well as information and media to make greater contribution to the sustained and in-depth development of ASEAN-China strategic partnership. She looked forward to the continued support from the ASEAN Secretariat.
Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi appreciated ACC's substantive contribution to ASEAN-China relations under the leadership of Secretary-General Yang Xiuping. He said that ASEAN-China relations have maintained sustained and in-depth development and made phenomenal achievements. On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership and the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang paid a successful visit to the ASEAN Secretariat and reiterated the need to strengthen ASEAN-China relations. At present, the two sides are discussing on formulating the "ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030," which will open up broader space for cooperation between the two sides. He commended the role of ACC as a one-stop information and activities centre since its establishment in 2011, and the hard work and achievements it has made in promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields between both sides as a part of the tangible contributions to the development of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership. He expressed that the ASEAN Secretariat stands ready to continue to support the work of ACC and will actively participate in its activities, with a view to elevating the ASEAN-China relations to a new level.
Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi also visited the photo exhibition of ASEAN-China relations and the work of ACC.