During the 7th Meeting of Joint Council of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) held in Guilin, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC visited Xing’an county for observing the new rural construction and socio-economic development, and interacted with local officials and the public. Secretary-General Yang Xiuping were accompanied by Mr. Zhang Mingdao, Deputy Director of Bureau of Culture, Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of Guilin, Mr. Yang Qiaomu, Vice County Chief of Xing’an, Mr. Yue Qihai and Mr. Luo Jifu, Principal Staff Member of Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio, Television and Sports, Ms. Jiang Mei, Director of Cultural Relics Bureau of Xing’an, and Mr. Zuo Zhiqiang, Deputy Curator of local museum.

Vice County Chief Yang Qiaomu briefed on Xing’an county and mentioned that Xing’an possesses the strategic nexus of Hunan province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and has been an important junction for traffic between South and North China on land and water. As one of the important tourism destinations in Guangxi, Xing’an enjoys abundant tourism resources including several heritage sites under state protection and Mao’er Mountain National Nature Reserve. Xing’an is honoured to be presented China’s top ten charming town, China’s most beautiful town, Guangxi outstanding tourism county, Guangxi famous characteristic tourism county, etc. Xing’an is now working on developing characteristic tourism to realize sustainable socio-economic development, and wishes to enhance exchanges with ASEAN countries and attract more ASEAN enterprises to invest and do business, as well as attract more ASEAN tourists through the platforms provided by ACC.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping briefed on ACC’s work and outcome of the meeting of Joint Council. She stated that local exchanges and cooperation are important parts of ASEAN-China relations, and an important part of ACC’s work. This year marks the ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation. Both sides undertook a series of colourful activities, all of which were welcomed and praised by various sectors. This visit to Guilin by senior diplomats of ASEAN countries and China enhanced their understanding of Guilin and Guangxi, and would produce positive significance on deepening exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and Guangxi. She hoped Xing’an county could seize the opportunity to strengthen publicity and promotion to raise the profile of Xing’an in ASEAN countries, and continuously expand friendly exchanges with ASEAN so as to achieve win-win result and common development.