On 29 August 2023, H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) presented at the inauguration events of the 2023 China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW), with the theme of “New Vision for Education Cooperation, Common Prosperity for Belt and Road” at its permanent site in the city of Guiyang, Guizhou Province of China. Other presented distinguished guests included Prof. Dr. Huai Jinpeng, Minister of Education of China, Mr. Chen Jie, Vice Minister of Education of China, Mr. Xu Lin, Secretary of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee, Mr. Li Bingjun, Governor of Guizhou Province, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, Dr. Nyunt Phay, Union Minister of Education of Myanmar, Dr. J. Prospero de Vera III, Chair of the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, Dr. Om Romny, Secretary of State of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia and Dr. Habibah binti Abdul Rahim, Director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization.
Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka H.E. Dr. Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md Salleh, Minister of Education of Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Mr. Nadiem Anwar Makarim, Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of Indonesia, H.E. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Vice Minister of Education and Training of Viet Nam and H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN joined the event through video or online.
 
In his remarks at the ASEAN-China Digital Education Forum after the CAECW opening session, SG Shi Zhongjun highly applauded the significance of the digital education forum focusing on ASEAN-China cooperation. He noted that digital education cooperation could open new grounds for cutting edge research, expand knowledge sharing and education equality, as well as human resource development. He reassured the ACC’s endeavor in facilitating policy exchange, resource channeling and capacity building so as to consolidate the intellectual strength of ASEAN-China cooperation.

As an important platform for education cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China, the CAECW serves as an important bridge for cooperation in the fields of education, science and technology, culture, health, sports, media and youth exchanges. The 2023 CAECW includes 65 opening activities, attracting over 4,000 representatives from AMS, China and other Belt and Road countries.