On 14 May 2018, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) held Tourism Seminar on China-Ready in Singapore in collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board (STB). H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC and Mr. Chang Chee Pey, Assistant Chief Executive of STB were invited to attend the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.

H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping said that ASEAN and China are good neighbours and strategic partners that enjoy geographical proximity, cultural affinity and strong bonds. ASEAN-China relations have developed from a period of fast growth to a period of maturity. Singapore-China relations enjoy a sound momentum of development and the friendship has been deeply rooted in people’s hearts. The joint building of the Belt and Road has opened up broad prospects for ASEAN-China and Singapore-China relations. In order to help ASEAN countries better understand the development of Chinese tourism industry and outbound tourism market, and attract more Chinese tourists, ACC had collaborated with top-ranking tourism universities in China to hold nine workshops in ASEAN countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines and Viet Nam. These activities were productive and appreciated by the National Tourism Organizations and tourism sectors of ASEAN countries. She hoped that this Seminar will play a positive role in Singapore’s efforts to explore the Chinese tourism markets and make new contributions for the in-depth development of Singapore-China and ASEAN-China relations, and for greater people-to-people connectivity. She gave a brief introduction to the work of ACC and said that the year 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China strategic partnership and is also designated as the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation. ASEAN-China cooperation is facing new opportunities. ACC will continue to play its role as a one-stop information and activities centre, and stands ready to work with governments, national tourism organizations and relevant stakeholders of ASEAN countries and China to utilize the vast prospects of further collaboration and lift the tourism cooperation to a new high.

On behalf of STB, Mr. Chang Chee Pey expressed his appreciation to ACC for jointly organizing the seminar in Singapore and commended ACC’s active efforts to strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation between both sides over the years. He said that tourism has also become an important link between ASEAN and China, contributing to a significant growth in personnel exchanges and socio-economic development for both sides. He introduced tourism industries of Singapore with a focus on Chinese tourists to Singapore. He said that the seminar provided a very useful platform for Singapore tourism industries to better understand Chinese outbound tourism markets and the need and preference of Chinese tourists, which would help further enhance the quality and standard of serving Chinese tourists and attract more Chinese tourists. STB expected to continue to maintain close ties with ACC and expected ACC to continue to provide positive support and assistance for the development of Singapore tourism industry.