On 3-4 September 2017, the First Annual Forum of China-ASEAN University Think Tank Network was held by Guangxi University in Nanning. The forum invited Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, Executive Director of ASEAN University Network (AUN), Mr. Zheng Xinli, Permanent Vice Chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges, H.E. Mr. Yu Hongjun, Member of Committee of Foreign Affairs of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Guo Yezhou, Vice-Minister of International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr. Zhao Deming, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mme. Li Kang, Vice-Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and scholars from leading think tanks of 9 ASEAN countries and China. Mr. Vithit Powattanasuk, Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC, attended the event and delivered remarks at the opening ceremony.

At the opening ceremony, Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, Mr. Zheng Xinli, H.E. Mr. Yu Hongjun, Mr. Guo Yezhou, Mr. Zhao Deming, Mme. Li Kang and Director Vithit Powattanasuk delivered remarks, in which they commended the efforts and contributions Guangxi University made for the establishment of China-ASEAN University Think Tank Network and the organization of the first annual forum, and expected China-ASEAN University Think Tank Network to make intellectual contributions to ASEAN-China relations.

In the keynote speech session, Mr. Zheng Xinli and H.E. Mr. Yu Hongjun respectively gave their thoughts on ASEAN-China cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Both of them stated that ASEAN and China enjoy geographical proximity, cultural amity and industrial complementarities. They recommended that both sides should seize the opportunity of the Initiative to take practical measures including creating better business environments to secure two-way investment and business, improving infrastructures to guarantee a good development environment, and developing featured industries to form a regional value chain, and so on.

During two days’ academic discussions, scholars from ASEAN and China actively reviewed the achievements of ASEAN and pointed out opportunities and challenges ASEAN is facing as well as ASEAN-China relations. They perceived that the establishment and development of ASEAN have enabled ASEAN with stronger economic competitiveness and more development space. With the rising role of China, especially under the Belt and Road Initiative, ASEAN and China could complement each other so as to narrow development gaps, enhance mutual trust and form regional value chain through strategic synergy, friendly exchanges and practical cooperation.

Throughout the forum, ACC representatives actively engaged with all the participants. ACC’s publications were distributed to all scholars, by means of which, participants learned about mandate and recent work of ACC, and increased their awareness and understandings of ACC’s efforts in promoting ASEAN-China relations.

China-ASEAN University Think-Tank Network was established in Guangxi University, Nanning, on 31 October 2016. The council of the Network comprises

universities and think tanks of ASEAN University Network (AUN), and Chinese universities designated by Ministry of Education of China. At the end of the said forum, Nanning Consensus on exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and China’s think tanks have been reached and signed.