On 9 January 2018, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), delivered a lecture at Hainan Tropical Ocean University upon invitation. She interacted with the faculties and students on ASEAN-China relations and practical cooperation. Mr. Liao Minsheng, Vice President of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Ms. Wei Jing, Director of International Cooperation and Exchanges Division of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Mr. Xu Yunsheng, Dean of College of Life Science and Ecology of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Ms. Shan Yan, Vice Dean of School of Foreign Language and International Culture Exchanges of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Ms. Zheng Liqiao, Vice Dean of School of Humanities and Social Science of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Mr. Zhang Xuehai, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC and over 400 faculties and students majoring in international relations, Foreign Languages, International Business, International Tourism, etc. attended the event.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping outlined the development process of ASEAN, the building of ASEAN community, the development of ASEAN-China relations, and ACC’s mandate and recent work. She said that ASEAN countries and China are connected by mountains and waters, and enjoy geographical proximity and cultural amity. In recent year, ASEAN-China relations have witnessed notable development in mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, and formed an all-around, multi-tiered and wide-ranging pattern of cooperation. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was successfully concluded last year, ushering in a new era for China’s development. ASEAN is actively implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 to build a people-centred community on a higher level for deeper development. Both sides are actively strengthening strategic coordination, jointly implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, which has opened up new and broader space for ASEAN-China relations.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping mentioned that education bears on the welfare of every family and individual. It is the foundation of social progress, and the driving force for national development. Under the active support and participation of various sectors, ASEAN-China education exchanges and cooperation has been well-received by people with ever-expanding cooperation range and ever-multiplying cooperation outcomes. Being a bright spot of ASEAN-China cooperation, the ever closer cooperation in education has played an important role in serving their own socio-economic development, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and consolidating the social foundation for ASEAN-China relations.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping commended Hainan Tropical Ocean University for its achievements and positive contribution in promoting ASEAN-China education exchanges and cooperation. She stated that Hainan Tropical Ocean University fully plays its strength and cultivates a big number of high quality professionals by means of the advantageous location of Sanya as international tropical coastal tourism city, ASEAN-China Education and Training Centre, Foreign Training Centre, and so on.. She hoped the University could expand its exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN countries, innovate the cooperation forms, enrich the cooperation connotation, and create more exchange opportunities for young students on the basis of China-ASEAN University’s President Cooperation Forum, so as to contribute more to ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping cited that university is a place for learning knowledge and exploring the truth. Bearing vibrant spirit, dynamic thinking and abundant creativity, youngstudent is the pride of their parents, and the hope of the nation. She encouraged students to cherish the studying opportunity, and follow closely ASEAN, ASEAN-China relations, and become the inheritor and promoter of ASEAN-China relations, so as to make great contribution to national and regional prosperity and development. She hoped that under the guidance of the professors, the young students will stand at the forefront of the new era, and contribute due share to the progress of the society as well as fulfill the historic mission on their shoulders with determination, integrity, knowledge, and talent to reassure their parents and the nation.

Vice President Liao Minsheng moderated the lecture. He commended ACC for its tremendous efforts in promoting ASEAN-China relations and practical cooperation in various fields, and thanked ACC for offering long-standing supports to the university’s exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN countries. He stated that the University regards ASEAN as its priority direction to undertake international exchanges and cooperation, and is actively pushing forward the building of the ASEAN-China Maritime Cultural Cooperation and Exchanges Platform. He hoped to continue to enhance contacts with ACC and participated more in various education and culture events held by ACC.

The participated faculties and students are actively interacting with Secretary-General Yang Xiuping on topics such as the prospect of ASEAN-China education exchanges and cooperation, youth exchanges programmes supported by ACC, ways to expand inter-university exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN countries. Secretary-General Yang Xiuping gave answers by highlighting the prospect of ASEAN-China relations, and the potential of ASEAN-China practical cooperation. The event was conducted in a warm atmosphere.