On 18 January 2022, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and the International Confucian Association (ICA) co-hosted the 2022 Harmony and Cooperation New Year Concert and Couplets Exhibition at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). Around 300 people attended the event, including Mr. Raja Nushirwan, Ambassador of Malaysia to China, Mr. Pehin Dato Rahmani, Ambassador of Brunei to China and his spouse, Mr. Lui Tuck Yew, Ambassador of Singapore to China and his spouse, Mr. Shimizu Fumio, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China, Mr. Kim Jingon, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in China and Director of the Korean Cultural Centre, Mr. Dino R. Kusnadi, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) and Minister of the Embassy of Indonesia in China and his spouse, Mr. Dinno M. Oblena, DCM and Minister of the Embassy of the Philippines in China, Mr. Thongsavanh Phyathep, DCM and Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Lao PDR in China and his spouse, Ms. Natthira Krasaesarnk, Minister-Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy in China, representatives from the embassies of Cambodia and Viet Nam in China, Mr. Wang Ning, President of NCPA, Ms. Zhu Jing, Vice President of NCPA, and representatives from relevant organisations and media. Mr. Jia Deyong, Secretary-General of ICA, and Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ACC, addressed the event.

Mr. Jia Deyong, Secretary-General of ICA, said the concept of “Harmony and Cooperation” (“Hehe”) originated from the East, which is the essence of Chinese humanistic ideas. Since its founding almost 30 years ago, ICA has always been committed to playing its role as an inheritor of Confucianism and other outstanding traditional cultures, a protector of the diversity of civilisations in the world, and a promoter of dialogues among different civilisations. In the future, ICA will continue to make efforts to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations, strengthen friendship and heart-to-heart communication among the peoples, and contribute to the building of a community of shared future for mankind.

Secretary-General Chen Dehai stated in his speech that the establishment of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was officially announced at the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. The year 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation. ACC is ready to join hands with all parties and continue to harness its unique strength in promoting socio-cultural and people-to-people exchanges as it did over the past 10 years since its establishment, in an effort to consolidate the foundation of friendship and cooperation and contribute to enduring prosperity and stability in East Asia.

The guests visited the Chinese New Year Couplets Exhibition immersed in a strong New Year atmosphere. Classic Chinese and ASEAN music was presented at the concert by artists from the China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO). The wonderful performance won rounds of warm applause from the audience. In a delightful ambience, the guests enjoyed beautiful calligraphy and melodious music, and exchanged views on the bright future of friendly exchanges and cooperation.