Recently, H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) respectively met with H.E. Ambassador Lui Tuck Yew of Singapore to China and H.E. Ambassador Arthayudh Srisamoot of Thailand to China. 

Secretary General Shi briefed the Ambassadors on the ACC’s work plan in 2023. He underscored the ACC’s role as a linking bridge between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China, with a focus on implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of both ASEAN and China. The ACC will strive to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and foster friendly exchanges in various fields, so as to better contribute to the development of a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.

Ambassador Lui said that Singapore and China have always been a shining example of successful collaboration and mutual learning in the region. With China further optimising and adjusting its epidemic prevention policies, AMS with Singapore included and China are presented with new opportunities for cooperation. The Singaporean Embassy stands ready to work with the ACC to promote Singapore-China relations, as well as ASEAN-China relations in the post-COVID era.

Ambassador Arthayudh said that Thailand and China are as close as family members, and the time-honored friendship is rock-solid and unbreakable. He recalled the recent visit of H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai to China, which witnessed fresh important consensus between the two sides to strengthen bilateral friendship and promote practical cooperation. During the Chinese Spring Festival, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand soared, highlighting the vibrant people-to-people cultural exchanges between the two countries. As the post-COVID era beckons, the potential for Thailand-China cooperation in diverse fields looks more promising. With a view to tapping on this potential, Thailand commits to keeping and stepping up robust and constructive communication and cooperation with the ACC, thus bringing Thailand-China relations and ASEAN-China relations to a new high.