On 21 July 2023, H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with H.E. Deputy Union Minister Nyunt Aung for Ministry of Commerce (MOC) of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw. On 18 July, Secretary General Shi also held talks with President Mr. Aye Win of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) in Yangon.

Secretary General Shi Zhongjun said that trade and investment always remain important pillars of ASEAN-China relations. In 2023, with the optimization of pandemic response measures, the full implementation of RCEP, as well as the promising rebound of China’s economy in the first half of this year, ASEAN and China face enormous opportunities in terms of economic cooperation. Myanmar has been always high on the agenda of ASEAN-China cooperation. Both sides enjoy a profound “pauk-phaw” friendship and have been carrying out fruitful cooperation in such areas as agriculture and infrastructure development under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. At present, both countries are tasked of striving for post-pandemic recovery. The ACC looks forward to further strengthening cooperation with the MOC of Myanmar and the UMFCCI to bring forth tangible benefits to both countries and the region, so as to build a model of trade and investment cooperation between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China. 

Nyunt Aung welcomed Secretary General Shi’s visit to Myanmar, and said that Myanmar has always attached great importance to seeking sound trade with and investment from other AMS and China. China stands out as Myanmar’s largest trading partner and investor, which lent great strength to Myanmar’s endeavor in achieving economic growth, securing social progress and improving the livelihood of its people. The Ministry stands ready to work with the ACC to encourage the related parties to invest more in such fields as energy, infrastructure and transportation, hold more trade promotion activities, enhance vocational training, and facilitate the export of agricultural products of Myanmar. 

Aye Win said that ASEAN and China have been great supporters in Myanmar’s economic and human resources development. Myanmar is an active partner of BRI and an indispensable participant in Myanmar-China Economic Corridor. The UMFCCI will accelerate the business recovering and promote the development of the businesses including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Myanmar, and will work together with the ACC to further strengthen the relationship, and explore new areas of cooperation between both sides.