Recently, H.E. Mr. Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), respectively exchanged views with H.E. Mr. Pehin Dato Rahmani, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to China and H.E. Mrs. Khamphao Ernthavanh, Ambassador of the Lao PDR to China. Ms. Wang Hongliu, Director of the General Affairs and Coordination Division of ACC, Mr. Guo Chuanwei, Director of the Trade and Investment Division of ACC, Ms. Li Yaying, Deputy Director of the Education, Culture and Tourism Division of ACC, Ms. Ang Lay Ling, DCM and Minister Counsellor of Brunei Embassy, and Mr. Thongsavanh Phyathep, DCM and Minister Counsellor of Lao Embassy respectively joined the meetings.

Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun briefed the two ambassadors on ACC’s work plan 2023 and looked forward to working with ASEAN Member States (AMS) Embassies in China to deepen friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between ASEAN and China in various areas, so as to make positive contributions to the building of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together.

H.E. Mr. Pehin Dato Rahmani said that friendly ties between Brunei and China were deeply rooted and go back a long way. The year 2023 is the ASEAN-China Year of Agricultural Development and Food Security Cooperation. Brunei attaches great significance to the development of agriculture in the process of pursuing diversified development in Brunei and looks forward to strengthening exchanges with China. The Brunei Embassy in China will also continue its support for ACC’s various activities.

H.E. Mrs. Khamphao Ernthavanh noted that Lao PDR was grateful for ACC’s contribution to promoting ASEAN-China relations. The programme on agricultural development and food security cooperation hosted by ACC this year is of great significance, Lao Embassy and herself will actively participate. Lao PDR welcomes China’s measures to optimize the management of the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel and looks forward to ACC’s active promotion of Laos-China people-to-people exchanges and the recovery of the tourism industry.