On 3 August 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) visited China-ASEAN Legal Cooperation Cambodia Center (the Cambodia Center) and exchanged views with Mr. Chen Ming, Executive Director, Ms. Yu Yan, Secertary General, and Mr. Zhang Yan, Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodia Center. Ms. Kong Roatlomang, Director of Education, Culture and Tourism Division and Mr. Zhang Xuehai, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC attended the meeting.

The Cambodian Center, established under the supervision of the China Law Society, is an unofficial organization that specializes in legal cooperation and service between China and ASEAN countries. In September 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia signed a memorandum with the China-ASEAN Legal Cooperation Center deciding to set up a branch in Cambodia. In December 2016, the Cambodian Center was officially inaugurated. According to the introduction by the persons in charge, with further development of China-Cambodia relations in recent years, economic and trade cooperation and culture exchanges have become increasingly frequent. More and more Chinese enterprises and tourists have come to invest and travel in Cambodia. Catering to this trend, the Cambodian Center aims to build a platform to integrate resources of all sides and connect governments at various levels so as to provide professional and quality legal services for Chinese enterprises and Chinese business groups working in Cambodia and to advice on consular protection for Chinese citizens doing business or traveling in Cambodia. The persons in charge said that the Cambodia Center would continue to enhance self-improvement, strengthen the communication and contacts with the Cambodian governments and all circles of the society, and based on the actual needs of both sides, better serve friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia and make positive contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping spoke highly of the efforts and contributions made by the Cambodia Center to Cambodia-China and ASEAN-China friendly exchanges and cooperation, and briefed on the mandate and work of ACC. She said that the development of ASEAN-China relations would not be achieved without the joint efforts of all circles and hoped that the Cambodia Center would continue to make full use of its advantages to provide strong legal service and support to the Belt and Road cooperation between both sides and make greater contribution to the development of ASEAN-China relations.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping also exchanged views with the persons in charge about the demands of legal service by Chinese enterprises doing business in Cambodia as well as Cambodian laws, regulations and policies on foreign investment.?