On 16 January 2018, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), and Tan?Sri?Dato’?Sri Lim?Gait?Tong, Chairman of China-ASEAN Business Association, met with H.E. Mr. Zhang Xiaoqin, Vice Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Mr. Teh Eng Hin, National Council Member of China-ASEAN Business Association and President of Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (Penang), Mr. Shi Donglong, Director-General of Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Guangxi, Mr. Wang Lei, Director-General of International Expositions Bureau of Guangxi, Mr. Fan Zuojun, Vice President of Guangxi University, Mr. Mo Fuwen, Deputy Director-General of the Managing Committee of China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee, and Mr. Zhang Xuehai, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC, attended the meeting.

Vice Chairman Zhang Xiaoqin gave an overview of Guangxi socio-economic development and the fruitful achievements of its exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN. He stated that Guangxi is located in the frontline of ASEAN-China cooperation. Guangxi’s all-around cooperation with ASEAN has been ever-deepening particularly since the first session of China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) was held in Nanning in 2003. This year marks the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership as well as the 15th anniversary of CAEXPO. Guangxi will continue to fully leverage the role of CAEXPO, and explore the value chain, industrial chain and service chain of CAEXPO so as to well implement the upgraded version of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area and create more opportunities for enterprises of both sides.

Vice Chairman Zhang said that Malaysia is an important bridge for ASEAN-China cooperation. Eminent figures including Malaysian leaders, Tan?Sri?Dato’?Sri Lim?Gait?Tong and others from various sectors follow and support Guangxi’s cooperation with Malaysia and ASEAN for long, and have made important contributions to the development of CAEXPO. China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park and Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park known as Two Countries Twin Parks have been substantially pushed forward. Cooperation between both sides has covered more areas beyond the building of industrial parks, and enjoys broader prospects of development. He thanked ACC and Secretary-General Yang Xiuping for long standing support and assistance to Guangxi-ASEAN cooperation, and hoped to continue to enhance exchanges and cooperation with ACC to make greater contribution to the in-depth and all-around development of ASEAN-China relations. He also hoped to strengthen contacts with Tan?Sri?Dato’?Sri Lim?Gait?Tong and the China-ASEAN Business Association to attract more ASEAN enterprises to invest and run business in Guangxi.

Tan?Sri?Dato’?Sri Lim?Gait?Tong stated that Guangxi and China attach great importance to expanding exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN, and have invested a great amount of human resources and materials in this regard. By means of CAEXPO, Guangxi’s ties with ASEAN have been ever-closer, and win-win cooperation ever-deeper, which vigorously promote Guangxi’s development. ASEAN-China cooperation needs the joint efforts of governments and business circles. China-ASEAN Business Association would like to continue leverage its strength and further explore new business opportunities and promote common development for both sides.

Secretary-General Yang commended Guangxi’s contributions to the development of ASEAN-China relations and briefed on ACC’s work. She said that Guangxi-ASEAN cooperation embodies special strength of geographical, cultural and industrial links, therefore possesses great potentials and broad prospects. This year marks the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership and the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation. ASEAN-China cooperation is embracing new opportunities. ACC would continue to give a full play to its strength and serve as a bridge and bond to contribute more to Guangxi’s expanding practical cooperation with Malaysia and ASEAN.