On 1 April 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary- General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with Ms. Song Xiaomei, Director of Dezhou Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (Dezhou FOCAO). Mr. Zhang Aijun, Deputy Director of Dezhou FOCAO, and Mr. Li Yuan, Director of Trade and Investment Division of ACC, also attended the meeting.

Director Song Xiaomei briefed on the overall cooperation between Dezhou and ASEAN countries. She said ASEAN countries are in important locations along the “Belt and Road” area. Dezhou is taking an active part in the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, and is committed to be the pivot city that connects northern China and ASEAN. In June this year, Dezhou will organize a trade and investment mission themed “One Hundred Enterprises to Nanyang” to some ASEAN countries. In this regard, Dezhou hopes to receive the guidance and support of ACC, to further deepen the practical cooperation between Dezhou and ASEAN.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping spoke highly of the positive outcomes of cooperation between Dezhou and ASEAN countries. She hoped that Dezhou could continue to leverage its advantages, make proper cooperation plans, look for appropriate matching points to deepen cooperation with ASEAN, and make continued progress. She said since its inception, ACC has been actively committed to promoting ASEAN-China cooperation at local levels. ACC would like to keep contact with Dezhou, and bridge Dezhou and ASEAN countries for practical cooperation.