AS one of the flagship projects of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) in 2018, the 10th Session of Lecture Series by ASEAN and Chinese Ambassadors was held in Sanya, Hainan province. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC, delivered lectures and interacted with the faculties and students on ASEAN-China relations and practical cooperation.

On 8 January 2018, Secretary-General Yang Xiuping delivered a lecture at Hospitality Institute of Sanya (HIS). Mr. Wang Weihai, Vice General Manager of Hainan Regional Headquarter of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), CCCC Ocean Investment Holding Company and President of HIS, Mr. Yu Shichun, Executive President of HIS, Mr. Zhang Xuehia, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC, and over 150 participants including representatives from the management and students majoring in hotel management attended the event.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping gave a brief overview of the fruitful achievements of ASEAN-China practical cooperation against the evolvement of the international and regional situation and China’s diplomacy in 2017. She stated that ASEAN countries and China are good neighbours connected by mountains and waters, and good partners that engage in close cooperation for mutual benefits. Since the establishment of dialogue relations in 1991, ASEAN-China political trust has been deepened, people-to-people exchanges intensified and practical cooperation has borne fruitful results. China has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner for eight consecutive years while ASEAN has been China’s third largest trading partner for six years in a row. According to the statistics released by the Chinese side, ASEAN-China trade volume reached 452.2 billion US dollars in 2016 and 464 billion US dollars in the first 11 months of 2017 with a year-on-year increase of 14.8%. ASEAN and China are each other’s major source of tourists and key travel destinations. The number of bilateral visits between ASEAN and China approached 32 million. During summer and autumn seasons, there are more than 2,700 flights shuttling between ASEAN countries and China each week. By the end of 2016, the mutual student mobility had exceeded 200,000. In addition, China has established 6 China Cultural Centres, 33 Confucius Institutes and 35 Confucius Classrooms in ASEAN countries. ASEAN-China relations have become the most dynamic and profound relationship that ASEAN has with its dialogue partners.

Secretary-General Yang reviewed the development process of ASEAN and elaborated on the achievements of ASEAN community building. She stated that 2017 is the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. Over the past half century, with solidarity, self-enhancement and focusing on development, ASEAN has built the first sub-regional community in the region. Dedicating to developing partnerships and an ASEAN-centred regional cooperation architecture, ASEAN has become an important force promoting regional integration, peace and stability. At present, based on ASEAN Community Vision 2025, ASEAN is working to raise ASEAN community building to a new height for deeper development, and make greater contributions to the development and prosperity of the region and beyond.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping stated that ASEAN and China are actively strengthening their own development strategies and synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative with Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, and formulating the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 to map out development blueprint. As a result, cooperation in various areas is brimming with vigor and vitality. Last year, both sides celebrated the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation. This year marks the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership and the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation, which would inject a strong impetus into the deepening of two-way exchanges and cooperation.

Secretary-General Yang commended the operational pattern of HIS, and briefed on ACC’s work to promote education exchanges and cooperation, especially youth exchanges. She stated that HIS was officially operated last year upholding high standards, applying theoretical knowledge to reality, serving society and dedicating to cultivating applied professionals with international eyesight. HIS will play a positive role in promoting Hainan and China’s tourism industries. As an important force in promoting sustainable socio-economic development, tourism industries including hotel management have been attached great importance by ASEAN countries and China. She hoped HIS could seize the opportunity, find the convergence of interests, and actively explore its exchanges and cooperation with counterparts of ASEAN countries so as to make contributions to deepening both sides’ education cooperation and promoting ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges. ACC is willing to maintain contacts with HIS and offer assistance.

Executive President Yu Shichun presided over the lecture. He commended ACC for its tremendous efforts in promoting bilateral relations and practical cooperation in various fields. He stated that HIS recently had received qualifications to enroll ASEAN students in 2018. He hoped that HIS could enhance its exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN countries via the useful platform provided by ACC. The participated students, faculties and management members raised questions on the prospects of ASEAN-China education exchanges and cooperation, the development of ASEAN tourism industries and the employment of hotel management. Secretary-General Yang interacted with the participants based on ACC’s mandates and work in a warm atmosphere.

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