On 8 January 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), met in Kunming City with Mr. Gao Shuxun, Member of the Party Committee of Yunnan Province. Mr. Cui Zhibin, Counsellor of Yunnan Provincial Government, Ms. Zhou Hong, President of Yunnan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Yang Shaocheng, Secretary-General of Yunnan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Wu Weidong, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office of the Foreign Affairs Office of Yunnan Province, Mr. Zhang Xuehai, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC attended the meeting.

Mr. Gao Shuxun welcomed the delegation and thanked ACC for its support and assistance to cooperation between Yunnan and ASEAN over the past years. He elaborated on the China-South Asia Expo and China Kunming Import & Export Fair, which, have served as key platforms for Yunnan Province to strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation with countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia and played an important role in Yunnan Province’s economic and social development and opening-up endeavour. Hoping to increase exchanges with ASEAN through these platforms and take an even bigger part in ASEAN-China cooperation, Yunnan Province, therefore, look forward to ACC’s continued support in this regard.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping commended the important contribution made by Yunnan to ASEAN-China cooperation and mentioned ACC’s work in 2016 and its work plan for 2017. She cited that this year marks the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN and the Year of ASEAN-China Tourism Cooperation which will open up new opportunities for the development of the bilateral relations. Yunnan and ASEAN countries enjoy geographical proximity, a solid foundation for all-round cooperation and well-developed mechanisms and platforms. ACC will continue to support Yunnan in leveraging its strengths and expanding friendly relations with ASEAN for win-win results.