On 23 August 2019, the 3rd session of Joint Executive Board (JEB) Working Group Meeting of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was held at the ACC Secretariat. Representatives from the Department of Asian Affairs of Chinese Foreign Ministry and embassies of ASEAN Member States in Beijing attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Wang Hongliu, Director of General Affairs and Coordination Division of ACC. Heads of all divisions of ACC were present.
Ms. Wang Hongliu expressed her gratitude for the JEB members' strong support to the ACC Secretariat. She said that in the context of ASEAN-China Year of Media Exchanges and ASEAN Culture Year in 2019, ACC maintained close contacts with all members of JEB, and had been committed to implementing the flagship projects and work programmes in key areas approved by ACC Joint Council on the basis of wide consultation, thus making its due contributions to ASEAN-China practical cooperation.
Ms. Natthira Krasaesarn, Minister Counsellor of Thai Embassy expressed appreciation for the Secretariat’s hard work and notable outcomes achieved in promoting the development of ASEAN-China relations and cooperation within the framework of ASEAN-China Year of Media Exchanges in the past eight months. She stressed that ASEAN attached great importance to synergising Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 with the Belt and Road Initiative and jointly building smart cities through consultation between ASEAN and China. Mr. Ma Xiaohui, Deputy Director of Regional Cooperation Division of the Department of Asian Affairs of Chinese Foreign Ministry, briefed the outcomes of the 20th ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He stressed that China would continue to strengthen communication with ASEAN in BRI cooperation, building smart cities and digital economy, and was ready to work with ASEAN to promote greater development of ASEAN-China relations.
Heads of ACC divisions reviewed the progress of each division’s work since June 2019 and outlined the work plan for the next stage. The JEB members appreciated the series of activities conducted by ACC Secretariat since last JEB Working Group Meeting, commended its efforts in promoting cooperation in various fields, and put forward constructive ideas and suggestions on ACC priority projects for the next stage and 2020 work plan. The meeting also discussed the matter of holding the 2019 JEB meeting. They pledged full support to and close collaboration with ACC Secretariat as always in hope of lifting ASEAN-China exchanges and cooperation in various fields to a new level.
