On 28 December 2016, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Secretary-General H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping visited China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Co. Ltd and Inspur Group Co. Ltd in Jinan, Shandong Province, learned the developments of the enterprises and their international cooperation, especially with ASEAN countries, and exchanged views with the entrepreneurs. Mr. Zhang Guangyu, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jinan Municipal People’s Government, Mr. Zhang Xuehai, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC and other officials joined the visit.

The management of China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Co. Ltd gave an overview of the company that as a premium brand of China heavy duty truck, the company has actively participated in the “Belt and Road” Initiative by taking part in international production capacity cooperation. The company attaches great importance to its cooperation with ASEAN. It has opened 11 offices, developed more than 60 local dealers and established about 100 service points in ASEAN countries, forming a marketing network covering the whole ASEAN region. In Viet Nam, the Philippines, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Sinotruck has become a well-known brand. In the future, the company will continue to pursue its internationalization strategy, and hope to get the valuable support of ACC, to make more contribution to ASEAN-China economic and technology cooperation.

The management of Inspur Group Co. Ltd briefed that, as the leading national brand in China’s electronic information industry, Inspur’s business has expanded into 104 countries or regions throughout the world. It has 12,000 commercial partners, and provides electronic products or service to more than 100 countries or regions. Inspur attaches great importance to ASEAN. It opened a branch in Thailand and has become one of Viet Nam’s biggest two telecom suppliers. Inspur hoped to expand its business in ASEAN by utilizing the platform of ACC, and enhance its cooperation with ASEAN partners in telecom industry.

SG Yang Xiuping appreciated the two companies’ efforts in strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries. She said that ASEAN has a large population and abundant resources. In recent years, ASEAN’s economy developed rapidly, with broad development potential and market space. The enterprises should make a comprehensive plan for their cooperation with ASEAN by combining its advantages with ASEAN’s demands, on the basis of in-depth research on ASEAN’s market, and strive for a win-win result. As an intergovernmental organization co-founded by China and ASEAN countries, ACC will continue to build bridges for the enterprises of both sides, and provide support and assistance to promote ASEAN-China functional cooperation.

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