From 27 to 28 June 2018, the 12th China-ASEAN Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction, which was co-hosted by the International Poverty Reduction Centre in China (IPRCC) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission of the Republic of the Philippines (NAPC), was held in Manila. More than 120 participants including Mr. CHEN Zhigang, Vice Minister of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development of China, Mr. SUN Yi, Charge D'Affaires, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines, Ms. Liza L. Maza, Secretary and Lead Convenor of NAPC, Mr. Ernesto Abella, Under-secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Mr. Sao Chivoan, Secretary of State, Ministry of Rural Development, Cambodia, Mr. Hla Kyaw, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar, Dr. AKP Mochtan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, Mr. Stephen Groff, Vice-President for East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, Asian Development Bank, other government officials and representatives from business circle, international organizations, think tanks and media from both China and ASEAN countries, attended the event. Upon the invitation of the organizer, Mr. Guo Chuanwei, Director of Trade and Investment Division, attended the event on behalf of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC).
The theme of the Forum is "Deepen Poverty Reduction Partnership, Build ASEAN-China Community with a Shared Future". Mr. CHEN Zhigang said in his remarks that China and ASEAN stand together in times of trouble and walk towards the same direction, through carrying out varied forms of practical cooperation including foreign aids, demonstrative projects, experience sharing and think-tank exchanges to further consolidate the foundation for exchange and cooperation and make new contributions to the building of a poverty-free community with a shared future of common development. Ms. Liza L. Maza stressed that strengthening poverty reduction efforts, sharing poverty reduction experience and enhancing poverty reduction capacity are common tasks of all sides. The Philippines and other ASEAN countries are ready to learn from and cooperate with China to seek common development. Dr. AKP Mochtan pointed out that poverty is both an important regional issue and a priority of ASEAN. ASEAN and China should take the opportunity of ASEAN-China Year of Innovation, to jointly promote innovative cooperation in such fields as e-commerce, people-to-people exchanges and enterprises collaboration, to push forward the cause of poverty reduction and social development. Representatives of Guangxi Autonomous Region introduced their measures, experience, and achievements of poverty reduction, which received great attention and appreciation. Participants also discussed on topics such as "What's Next on Working for Poverty Reduction in China-ASEAN Cooperation", "Rural-Urban Poverty Linkages and Innovation for Poverty Reduction", "Rethinking Trade Liberalization for Rural Development", "Enhancing Poverty Reduction Partnerships for a Community of Shared Future for ASEAN and China", etc. On 29 June, participants joined a field visit to some poverty reduction projects.
During the meeting, upon the request of the Chairman, Director Guo Chuanwei gave an introduction of the background, mandate and the work of ACC.