The 11th China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW) with the theme “A New Beginning for Educational Cooperation, A New Future for Cultural Exchange” was held in Guiyang, Guizhou province, from 26 to 29 July 2018. H.E. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the opening ceremony and a series of activities.

The opening ceremony was hosted by Ms. Shen Yiqin, Governor of Guizhou province. Mr. Sun Zhigang, Secretary of Guizhou Provincial CPC Committee and Chairman of Guizhou Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee, Mr. Tian Xuejun, Vice Minister of Education of China, Ms. Indranee Rajah, Minister of Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Education of Singapore, Mr. Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun, Minister of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, Mr. MYO THEIN GYI, Minister of Education of Myanmar, and Mr. Sophon Napathorn, Vice Minister of Education of Thailand, as well as other distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.

During the 11th CAECW, Secretary-General Chen Dehai attended a range of activities co-hosted or supported by ACC and delivered remarks, including the China-ASEAN Vocational Education Forum and Exhibition of Successful Cooperative Programs, the 2nd Partnership Workshop for SEAMEO-China TVET Cultural Twinning Programme, the 1st China-ASEAN Forum on Innovation of Industry and Education Integration & Cooperation for Yalong Silk Road College, the 2nd Annual Session of China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Alliance of Universities-Global Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talent Training President Forum, China-ASEAN Symposium on Capacity Building and Research Collaboration, and China-ASEAN Preschool Education Development Dialogue.

Secretary-General Chen Dehai said this year marks the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China strategic partnership. It is also designated as the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation. ASEAN-China relations have entered into a new era and are facing new opportunities for development. Promoting education exchanges and cooperation has always been a priority in the work of ACC. Since the beginning of this year, ACC has been paying close attention to the new development momentum of ASEAN and China and the new collaborative needs of both sides. By actively playing its role as a bridge and link and working closely with its partners, ACC has continuously strengthened education cooperation mechanisms and platforms established under ACC’s proposal or support, vigorously advanced vocational education collaboration and actively expanded youth exchanges, dedicating itself to explore new paths and initiatives for ASEAN-China cooperation in education. This has yielded positive results. As an inter-governmental organization co-founded by 10 ASEAN Member States and China, ACC will redouble its efforts and forge ahead to promote relevant collaboration to a higher level and make new achievements through joint efforts with all parties.

During the 11th CAECW, Secretary-General Chen Dehai also met with distinguished guests from ASEAN countries and China, including Dr. Gatot Hari Priowirjanto, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat and relevant directors of its regional centres, Mr. Chen Yan, Mayor of Guiyang Municipality, Mr. Chen Li, Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Guizhou Province, H.E. Mr. Cao Guoyong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Beijing Jiaotong University and Mr. Li Yuenan, Deputy Director-General of Hainan Provincial Education Department. All expressed the willingness to enhance cooperation, initiate more collaborative projects and activities, and make positive contributions to deepen ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges.