On 25 January 2017, H.E. Mr. Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Socio-Cultural Community, and ?Ms. Intani Kusuma, Technical Officer of Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance Division of ASEAN Secretariat, visited ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), and exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between ACC and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Mr. Vithit Powattanasuk, Dirtctor of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC, expressed his gratitude for the continuous support from the ASEAN Secretariat and briefed on ACC’s recent work, especially on promoting practical cooperation in information and media exchanges. Mr. Sun Jianhua, Deputy Director of Education, Culture, Tourism Division of ACC, briefed on the work of education, culture and tourism and the flagship projects of 2018. They expressed that ACC would maintain close communication with the ASEAN Secretariat and enhance the coordination to promote the all-around and in-depth development of ASEAN-China relations.

Deputy Secretary-General Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee spoke highly of the positive effects of ACC in promoting the development of friendly and cooperative relations between ASEAN and China. He commended that under the leadership of Secretary-General Yang Xiuping, ACC has opened new grounds in all fields and has accumulated successful experiences in promoting friendly exchanges and practical cooperation. He noted that the year of 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership and the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation. The ASEAN Secretariat would like to explore the exchanges and cooperation in youth of both sides on environment protection and disaster aid with the spirit of innovation, which will help strengthen communication with ACC and inject new impetus to the development of ASEAN-China relations.