From 13 to 16 June 2023, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and China International Communications Group (CICG) co-hosted a familiarization trip for diplomats from ASEAN Member States (AMS) Embassies in China and ASEAN Media to visit Zhejiang Province.

Headed by H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC, the visiting delegation also includes H.E. Ambassador U Tin Maung Swe of Myanmar to China, Minister Counsellor Natthira Krasaesarn of Royal Thai Embassy, Counsellor Nurul Huda Bt Ab Rahim of Malaysian Embassy, and diplomats from Embassies of Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Singapore as well as 16 AMS media representatives. Focusing on the theme of “Connectivity and Digital Agriculture”, the participants got themselves immersed in the process of development in Wenzhou, Ningbo and Hangzhou of Zhejiang Province. 

The delegation toured the Chuanshangang Port Area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port, which ranks top in the world in terms of cargo turnover, visited renowned companies including CHINT Group, Semir Group, WZ Group and Alibaba Group and had a close-in study on the development of international trade routes, trade of raw materials and clothing, new energy and e-commerce projects between ASEAN and China.

Echoing the theme of ASEAN-China year of agricultural development and food security cooperation in 2023, the delegation made field trips to Digital Agriculture Demonstration Park and Future Agricultural Science and Technology Museum in Wencheng County, Wenzhou, and the Future Farm and Space Botanical Garden in Haishu District, Ningbo to know more about the use of advanced technologies in modern agriculture and new progress in rural development there. 

The delegation also visited the Grand Canal Asian Games Park in Hangzhou, and were shown around the future venues of the Asian Games. They exchanged views with Zhejiang Media Group, and toured Hemu community in Hangzhou, a smart community building project. The delegation also enjoyed artworks and cultural heritage exhibits at the World Wenzhounese Home. 

The delegation members were fully impressed by the fast development of connectivity between AMS and Zhejiang, and amazed at the achievements Zhejiang has made in digital agriculture as well as other new-frontier fields. They also expressed willingness to enhance practical cooperation in various areas and people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN and Zhejiang Province. They looked forward to more visits of this kind to be hosted by the ACC in the future, which will inject new impetus into deepening exchanges and expanding cooperation between AMS and more Chinese local authorities.