From 24 to 29 October 2020, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and China International Publishing Group co-hosted a familiarisation trip for diplomats and journalists from ASEAN Member States (AMS) stationed in Beijing to visit Hunan Province. Headed by Mr. Dino R Kusnadi, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy in China, the delegation consisted of diplomats from nine AMS embassies, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, as well as journalists from Viet Nam and Malaysia. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ACC and Ms. Chen Shi, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of CIPG and President of China Report Press joined in all activities of the delegation.

The delegation travelled to Changsha City, Fenghuang Ancient Town of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and Jishou City successively. During the visit, Mr. Zhang Hongsen, member of the Standing Committee of Hunan CPC Provincial Committee and Head of Publicity Department of Hunan CPC Provincial Committee, Mr. Chen Gang, Head of Publicity Department of Changsha Municipal Committee, Mr. Jiang Hongxin, Secretary of CPC Committee of Hunan Normal University, Mr. Liao Lianghui, Deputy Secretary of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture Committee, officials from local governments and university leaders met with the delegation.

The delegation visited Hunan Normal University, attended the launching ceremony of “ASEAN-China Research Center for Cultural Communication” of Hunan Normal University, visited Yuelu Academy, Orange Isle, Sany Group company, Sunward Intelligent Equipment company, National Intelligent Connected Vehicle (Changsha) Test Zone, Malanshan Video Cultural and Creative Industrial Park, Hunan Broadcasting System (Mango TV), held a small symposium with Changsha Xiangjiang New Area Management Committee, explored local poverty alleviation projects in Zhushan Village, Shibadong Village and Mayang Miao Autonomous Prefecture .

Through the visit, the delegation gained more insight into the historical, cultural, economic and social development of Hunan, saw Hunan's achievements in developing advanced manufacturing industry, digital economy, targeted poverty alleviation and cultural and tourism industry, and held in-depth discussions on further expanding exchanges and cooperation between AMS and Hunan in various fields.

 

Participating diplomats and journalists from AMS stationed in Beijing thanked the organisers and the Hunan Provincial Government for their meticulous organisation and thoughtful arrangements, deeming the visit to be a fruitful one. They expressed their appreciation of Hunan's profound history and culture, beautiful eco-environment and great achievements in socio-economic development, including advanced manufacturing, digital economy, poverty alleviation and other fields.In relation with poverty alleviation, they deemed that China’s successful efforts in lifting the poverty in Hunan can also be implemented in other developing countries. 

 

The delegation pledged to share what they have seen and heard in Hunan with people in their home countries , and expressed willingness to facilitate practical cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between AMS and Hunan in various fields. They found the trip unforgettable and look forwarded to more such visits in the future, which they believe would build more bridges for deepening exchanges between AMS and Chinese provinces.

 

Hunan Satellite TV, Hunan Daily, Rednet.cn, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture TV and other Hunan local media and Guangxi Satellite TV followed and covered various activities along the trip. AMS diplomats gave several media interviews to share their feelings and experience.