His Excellency Mr. Zhang Jiuhuan, Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 

His Excellency Mr. Pehin Dato Rahmani Dato Basir, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to China,

His Excellency Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to China,

Her Excellency Mrs. Khamphao Ernthavanh, Ambassador of the Lao PDR to China, 

Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.

Welcome to the Reception in celebrating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations hosted by the ASEAN-China Centre. 

Since the establishment of dialogue relations in 1991, ASEAN and China have made great success and achievements in enhancing political trust, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. ASEAN-China relations have pursued harmony and win-win results, which has become an important pillar for peace and stability, as well as a powerful engine for development and prosperity in the region.

In the past three decades, the relations have brought tangible benefits to the 11 countries and more than two billion people. We joined hands in conquering two major global financial crises, and the annual total trade volume has surged more than 80-fold, from less than 8 million US dollars in 1991 to 684.6 million US dollars last year. ASEAN became China’s largest trading partner last year, which demonstrated the great potential and resilience in our bilateral cooperation. In the face of the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN and China have joined hands to fight the virus and share experience in epidemic control, vaccine R&D and public health management. We are all trying our best to become an early bird in achieving economic and social recovery.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

In this very afternoon, we had a successful symposium which reviewed the ASEAN-China cooperation over the past 30 years and looked towards future collaboration between our two sides. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the speakers and participants for your active involvement. 

Besides, our guests must have already visited the Commemorative Photo Exhibition on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations just outside this ballroom, which was jointly hosted by the Bruneian Embassy in China and ACC. I also take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Rahmani and his staff for their generous support to this exhibition.

Dear friends,

Standing at this historical juncture, ASEAN and China should look ahead for the cooperation in the next 30 years. We all firmly believe the two sides will grasp the new opportunities and forge a closer community with brighter prospects. Ever since its establishment in 2011, ACC has been actively playing its role as a one-stop information and activities centre and making unremitting efforts to promote ASEAN-China cooperation in various fields. I am confident that ACC will join hands with all partners to make greater contribution to ASEAN-China strategic partnership, which is all-round, in-depth, sustainable and resilient. We care, we prepare, and we will prosper!

Now may I propose a toast to the friendship and continuous cooperation between ASEAN and China, and to the health of everyone present tonight. 

Cheers.