From 24 to 25 April, 2018, the 3rd ASEAN-China Youth Forum was successfully held in Jinan, Shandong province. Themed ‘Technology and Innovation, the forum was hosted by ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and organized by Shandong University. More than 200 participants attended the forum, including representatives from the China Scholarship Council, embassies of ASEAN Member States in China, relative departments of Shandong Provincial Government and Jinan Municipal Government, the academic and business sector, as well as ASEAN and Chinese students from 17 universities in China.

In the morning of 24 April, the forum launched an opening ceremony followed by keynote speeches. During the sub-themed sessions in the afternoon, students from the 10 ASEAN countries and China engaged in active discussions on how to serve the long-term development of ASEAN-China cooperation in the future, centering upon topics that include ‘innovation and sustainable development’, ‘innovation and regional collaboration’, as well as ‘innovation and quality of life’. It was the speakers’ consensus that technology and innovation are the dynamic drivers that accelerate economic and social sustainable development and improve people’s living standards. Chinese and ASEAN youth should join hands in strengthening the awareness of innovation and collaborative teamwork, so as to give full play to the important role of the younger generation in achieving common development. Mr. Xing Jianping, Professor of the Department of Integrated Circuits, Shandong University and Executive Vice Chairman of the National Organizing Committee of the International (China) iCAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, delivered concluding remarks, in which he encouraged Chinese and ASEAN students to strengthen cooperation in technology and innovation by taking opportunity of various platforms and resources so as to contribute to sustainable economic and social development and the improvement of people’s life for both ASEAN countries and China. Amidthe sessions, speakers also interacted with the audience on topics of interests.

During the forum, the delegates also attended the 17th Shandong University International Cultural Festival. They visited the Research and Experience Centre of Traditional Chinese Culture of Shandong University and the Qi Lu Software Science Park. All delegates extended their gratitude to the host and the organizer of this forum for facilitating a hard-won opportunity of learning and exchanging ideas. The participating students said that they would work harder, expect more opportunities for further communication and mutual learning, and contribute to the prosperity of their countries and the long-term development of ASEAN-China relations.