On 26 December 2016, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Secretary-General H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping met with Mr. Li Jinkun, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Dongying City, Shandong Province in Dongying. Mr. Chen Guangfeng, Director of the Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Dongying, Mr. Zhang Shichang, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Dongying, Mr. Tang Xinjun, Director of the Liaison Office of Dongying City in Beijing, Mr. Zhang Xuehai, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC, and other officials attended the meeting.

Deputy Director Li Jinkun said that in recent years, Dongying has strengthened its economic relations and friendly cooperation with ASEAN countries. ASEAN had become a key area for Dongying’s opening-up activities. From January to November 2016, the trade volume between Dongying and ASEAN countries reached USD 11 billion, which accounted for 12.3% of Dongying’s overall foreign trade volume. There are 14 enterprises in Dongying which were set up by ASEAN countries, covering the areas of livestock, sewage disposal, metal smelting, etc. There are 27 Dongying enterprises investing in ASEAN countries, covering the areas of wire and cable, tyre manufacturing, petroleum equipment, etc. Under the initiative of co-building the 21st Maritime Silk Road, Dongying’s cooperation with ASEAN has been reinforced. Dongying expects to broaden the cooperation areas, innovate cooperation mode with ASEAN under the guidance of ACC, to play a bigger role in the construction of “Belt and Road” initiative.

Secretary-General Yang appreciated Dongying’s efforts in enhancing its cooperation with ASEAN countries. She said that Dongying has great advantages in industries such as petrochemical, rubber, tyre, electronic information and new energy. As the “Belt and Road” Initiative progressed steadily and the international capacity cooperation developed vigorously, ASEAN-China cooperation embraces new opportunities. Dongying could combine its advantages with ASEAN’s demands, seek the common interests for cooperation and therefore achieve win-win results. ACC will continue to build bridges for the enterprises of both sides, and promote the deep development of ASEAN-China functional cooperation at the local level.

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