On 27 March 2018, the Welcome Activity of the International Symposium on Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership was held in Nanning. Attended the event were around 80 participants including H.E.?Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Huang Junhua, Vice Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr. Liu Zhengdong, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangxi University, H.E. Mr. Stanley Loh Ka Leung, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to China, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), representatives from ASEAN Embassies and Consulates-General in Nanning, Guangxi government officials, well-known experts and scholars from both China and ASEAN countries.

Vice Chairman Liu Zhengdong delivered remarks on behalf of the hosts to warmly welcome all participants in the symposium. He said that Guangxi and ASEAN countries are connected by mountains and rivers, enjoying cultural affinity and a long history of friendly exchanges. With the establishment of China-ASEAN strategic partnership and the permanent settling-down of China-ASEAN EXPO (CAEXPO) in Nanning, Guangxi has embarked on a fast lane of opening-up and continuously achieved new development. On the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of both China-ASEAN strategic partnership and CAEXPO’s establishment, it is of great significance to hold this symposium in Guangxi. He wished all participants could actively contribute their wisdom and insights, and jointly push forward the friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN to make new achievements.

Under the theme of “New Era, New Vision, New Opportunities”, the symposium is co-hosted by ACC and the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Guangxi University and CAEXPO Secretariat are co-organizers. The Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Department of Commerce and Investment Promotion Agency of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are partner organizations. During the symposium, participants reviewed the experience and inspiration of the past 15 years of ASEAN-China strategic partnership and had in-depth discussion on how to further deepen the bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, innovation and people-to-people exchanges, and build a higher level strategic partnership.