On 29 July 2020, ACC Secretary-General Chen Dehaiattended and addressedthe 2020 Extraordinary ASEAN-China Social Development and Poverty Reduction Forum co-hosted by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development and ASEAN Secretariat. More than 80 officials from relevant government authorities of China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and representatives from international organizations, non-governmental organizations and media attended the Forum. Dr. Tan Weiping, Deputy Director-General of International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC), Mr. Kung Phoak, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat, Mr. Chivoan Sao, Secretary of State of Ministry of Rural Development of Cambodia, and Mr. Deng Xijun, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN attended the Forum and delivered remarks.
Deputy Secretary-General Kung Phoak held the view that the COVID-19 epidemic have jeopardized ASEAN’s economic development, and those who have been lifted out of absolute poverty are threatened to fall back into poverty. At this critical time, no country alone can effectively deal with the complexities of the pandemic and its adverse effects. ASEAN countries and China have been providing valuable support and assistance to each other in combating COVID-19 epidemic, which demonstrated their close relationship. The two sides should work together to overcome the difficulties and take full use of bilateral platforms for systematic exchanges.

 

 

Ambassador Deng Xijun pointed out that, as good neighbours andpartners, China and ASEAN have beenstandingside by sidein fighting COVID-19 and maintainingregional development and stability, in the same way as we tided over many other crises. The two sides need to strengthen counter-pandemic cooperation, create greater synergy between ourdevelopment programmes, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, and create new growth areas through innovation and promote poverty alleviation through digital economy.

Secretary-General Chen Dehai said that COVID-19 epidemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the poverty reduction efforts of both ASEAN countries and China. Increase in poor populationincome will probably fall short of expectation, and risk of relapse into poverty is increasing. Meanwhile, the situation we are facing today is giving birth to a number of new industries and business forms, especially in the digital economy. ASEAN countries and China can take the Year of Digital Economy Cooperation and the new round of technology revolution as an opportunity toharness our comparative strengthsto promote win-win cooperation, and contribute to stability and prosperity in our region.

Representatives from China and ASEAN Member States briefed on their countries’ efforts in fighting against the epidemic and promoting poverty alleviation, and discussed in details on how to strengthen ASEAN-China cooperation to contain the epidemic and its aftermath, in order to realize the regional development goal of ASEAN. Representatives from UN Development Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Food Programme, International Fund for Agricultural Development, UNICEF, World Bank and Asia Development Bank made presentations under the theme of“joining hands in fighting against COVID-19 and promoting poverty alleviation”. They also shared experiences and good practice in poverty reduction and epidemic containment. The participants agreed that the Forum further strengthened the exchanges and cooperation on poverty alleviation and built up consensus between ASEAN and China.