On 2 March 2023, H.E. Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with H.E. Director General Dato’ Zanariah Zainal Abidin of ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Secretary-General Shi stated that the ACC, established 12 years ago, has been committed to implementing the important consensus between the Chinese and ASEAN leaders, and serving in real earnest as a linking bridge to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation between both sides in areas of trade, investment, education, culture, tourism, information and media. The ACC always keeps up with the times and constantly expands cooperation scope, in the purpose of carrying forward ASEAN-China relations as well as promoting regional stability and prosperity. Facing the new circumstances, the ACC stands ready to better cooperate with the Malaysian MFA in an effort to further deepen ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Director General Zanariah welcomed Secretary General Shi’s visit to Malaysia and said that, since the establishment of ASEAN-China dialogue relations more than 30 years ago, the cooperation between the two sides has shown quality breadth, enjoyed broad prospects, born rich fruits and carried key significance. The future development of ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is more than promising. ASEAN has been committed to building a people-centered community and raising people’s awareness of ASEAN identity. The Malaysian side appreciates the ACC’s active efforts in this regard. Therefore, the Malaysian MFA will continue to support and work with the ACC to promote pragmatic cooperation in such areas as tourism promotion, higher education, language teaching, digitalization, so as to secure better mutual understanding between the peoples, especially the youth, on both sides and garner stronger public support for the growth of ASEAN-China relations.