On 10 March 2023, H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with H.E. Jaime FlorCruz, the newly-appointed Ambassador of the Philippines to China. Mr. Dinno Oblena, Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister and Consul General of the Embassy, Mr. Sun Yi, Director of the ACC General Affairs and Coordination Division, were present.  

Secretary General Shi congratulated Ambassador Jaime on his assumption of office and expressed gratitude to the Embassy for its sustained support to the ACC. Shi said that amity, sincerity and mutual assistance have been features defining the relations between China and ASEAN Member States (AMS), both currently pressing ahead with the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. China and the Philippines, as close neighbours facing each other across the sea, are enjoying profound friendship, constant high-level exchanges, strong momentum of cooperation, and promising prospects for bilateral relations. Shi briefed Ambassador Jaime on the ACC’s work plans in 2023 and stressed that the ACC stands ready to continue playing the role of inter-governmental organization to promote cooperation and work with the Embassy towards greater progress in exchanges and cooperation in various fields between ASEAN and China.

Ambassador Jaime appreciated the ACC’s endeavor in promoting ASEAN-China relations. He said that H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has paid a successful state visit to China in January and become the first foreign leader whom China hosts in 2023. Both countries are now actively materialising the important consensus between the leaders. The Philippines very much looks forward to closer cooperation with China in such areas as agriculture, infrastructure, clean energy and inter-connectivity, thus helping the Philippines achieve the goals of national development. The Philippines attaches great importance to the ACC as a unique platform to enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation and promote exchanges. The Philippines is willing to work with other AMS in support of the ACC’s endeavor to consistently serve the steady and sound growth of ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.