On 7 August 2023, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) sponsored ASEAN-China (Fujian) Youth Forum 2023 at the Fuzhou University of International Studies and Trade, as one of the parallel activities of the ASEAN-China Week (ACW) 2023. The opening ceremony was attended by nearly 300 participants, among whom are H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC, H.E. Secretary of State Kung Phoak of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, H.E. Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun of Indonesia to China, H.E. Ambassador Arthayudh Srisamoot of Thailand to China, the Honorable Special Envoy Benito G. Techico of the Philippine President to China for Trade, Investments and Tourism, representatives from education and business sectors as well as young students from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China.  

In his opening remarks, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun reiterated the pivotal role of youth in pushing forward the economic development and social progress of AMS and China, enhancing ASEAN-China bond of amity and injecting innovative vitality to ASEAN-China partnership. He encouraged youth in the region to act as trailblazers for future growth of ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership, and reassured the ACC’s commitment to working with the related partners in AMS and China to render firm support to the development of youth and the friendship among youth communities. 

Ambassador Djauhari, Secretary of State Kung Phoak, Special Envoy Techico and Deputy Secretary Shao Mingsong of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League also addressed the opening ceremony and shared their perspectives on the contribution that the youth communities could make to meet current challenges in both regional and world situations. They also made recommendations on how to further deepen and expand cooperation and exchanges among youth communities in our region.  

Student representatives also shared their views at the opening ceremony, where they told stories under various themes such as “My Belt and Road Story”, “Education for Better Future for Youth” and “Youth for a Better Belt and Road and ASEAN-China Relations”. 

Young students also participated in the Internet+Innovation and Entrepreneurship Road Show and Chinese Traditional Crafts Workshop. The content-rich and well-oriented activities have further strengthened the mutual understanding and friendship between the students from AMS and China, who all appreciated the organization of this activity by the ACC and look forward to more of this kind in the future.