On 11 May 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), met with Professor Jiang Zehui, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the International Network of Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) and Director General of the International Center for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR). Mr. Li Zhiyong, Deputy Director General of INBAR, Ms. Hao Ying, Director of Membership Affairs of INBAR, and Mr. Zhang Xuehai, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC, attended the meeting.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping briefed on ACC’s mandate and major work. She said that ACC is implementing 19 flagship projects in 2017 with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation as the two highlights, to actively promote practical cooperation in areas of trade, investment, education, culture, tourism as well as media and public relations. ACC maintains good cooperation with INBAR, and would like to continue to strengthen the communications and explore possible cooperation to jointly push forward the sustainable development of ASEAN and China as well as to make greater contribution to the comprehensive development of ASEAN-China relations.

Professor Jiang Zehui appreciated ACC’s efforts in promoting ASEAN-China practical cooperation. She said INBAR is committed to promoting the development of bamboo and rattan industry. Since its inception in 1997, INBAR has developed rapidly and currently has 42 member states, within which six are ASEAN countries. INBAR is making efforts to advance cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, and is looking forward to enhancing communications with ACC in a concerted effort to promote the green and sustainable development of this region to the benefit of the people.