On 19 October 2021, Mr. Wang Ande, Secretary of the CPC Linyi Municipal Committee met with Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) as well as representatives attending the first RCEP (Shandong) Import Expo.

On behalf of the CPC Linyi Municipal Committee and the Linyi Municipal Government, Mr. Wang Ande welcomed all the guests. He said that Linyi is the largest and most populous city in Shandong Province. With rich history and culture, it is known as the logistics capital of China. Linyi’s trade volume with RCEP member states nearly accounts for half of the city’s total foreign trade, showing increasing exchanges and broader cooperation space of both sides. Linyi hopes to tap further opportunities and promote more products from RCEP member states to expand the Chinese market and go to the international market through Linyi.

On behalf of guests from all participating countries, Mr. Chen Dehai congratulated Linyi on the success of the Expo and appreciated the economic and social achievement made by Linyi City. He stressed that the ASEAN member states (AMS) are China’s good neighbours and significant partners. ASEAN is the priority of China’s neighboring diplomacy and the key area for the high-quality joint building of Belt and Road. ACC will continue to play a bridging role to promote Linyi City and further advance the city’s opening-up and cooperation with AMS.

Representatives from diplomatic missions and trade institutions of RCEP member states in China were present at the meeting, including Ms. Nabhasporn Bhuttarichval, Consulate-General of Thailand in Qingdao, Mr. Igawahara Masaru, Consulate-General of Japan in Qingdao, Mr. Kwag Sungshin, Deputy Consulate-General of Korea in Qingdao, and Mr. Khouanchay Iemsouthi, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Lao PDR in China. Mr. Ren Gang, Vice-Secretary of the CPC Linyi Municipal Committee and Mayor of Linyi, and Mr. Liu Xianjun, Vice-Mayor of Linyi.