On 24 November 2017, the 2nd China-ASEAN Youth Summit, under the theme of “Embrace for Change, Gear Forward: Celebrating 50th Anniversary of ASEAN”, kicked off at Peking University. The Summit was organized by Southeast-Asia Association of Peking University. ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was the supporter of the event. Around 200 participants attended, including student representatives from ASEAN Member States and China as well as journalists. H.E. Mr. Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana, Ambassador of the Philippines to China, Mr. Sun Jianhua, Deputy Director of Education Culture and Tourism Division of ACC, Professor Zhai Kun of School of International Studies of Peking University, and Mr. Wu Wei, Deputy Secretary-General of All-China Youth Federation, addressed the opening ceremony.

Ambassador Romana briefed on the great achievements and new progress of ASEAN-China relations over the past 50 years since the establishment of ASEAN. He hoped that students could learn from each other, share their experiences and views, and fulfill the responsibilities on their shoulders, make contributions to realizing ASEAN-China community of common destiny and promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Deputy Director Sun Jianhua pointed out that the empathy between youths will help to enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and consolidate the foundation of ASEAN-China relations. Supporting youth exchange has always been ACC’s priority area in education, and various forms of activities for youth have been organized by ACC. He expected students could fully pool their wisdom, showcase their talent, so as to contribute new ideas and suggestions to ASEAN-China friendly cooperation.

Professor Zhai Kun spoke highly of the significance of the youth summit. He expected young students to seize the opportunities, sow the seeds of peace and friendship, and bear mutual benefit and win-win result in mind, so as to carry forward the ASEAN-China friendship. Mr. Wu Wei encouraged ASEAN and China young students to learn from each other and strengthen communication and exchanges. He wished the China-ASEAN Youth Summit will be better and better.

The three-day Summit included rich activities such as seminars, model conference, entrepreneurship contest, embassy visit and cultural night.