On 21 September 2023, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC) co-sponsored the ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneurs Economic and Trade Cooperation Fair in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province. The ACC Director Sun Yi of General Affairs and Coordination Division, Secretary Zhang Aijun of the CPC Zhaoqing Municipal Committee, Consul General Ben Perkasa Drejat of Indonesia in Guangzhou, Commercial Attaché Tea Kong of Royal Embassy of Cambodia in China and Director Zhang Hua of the CIYEC attended and addressed the opening ceremony, which attracted more than 500 representatives from government agencies, business associations, young entrepreneur councils and enterprises from both ASEAN and China for in-depth exchange of views on strengthening ASEAN-China economic relations and trade, and enhancing multi-faceted cooperation among young entrepreneurs, especially against the backdrop of post-pandemic economic recovery.

Director Sun Yi stated that, thanks to the friendship and partnership for more than three decades, ASEAN and China have shown to the world the vigorous vitality in their economic relations. Young entrepreneurs stand for a never-ending and self-motivating force in advancing economic cooperation and trade between ASEAN and China. New situations generate new aspirations and missions. New situations also call for new solutions and actions. On a journey of seeking common development and universal prosperity for regional countries and peoples, young entrepreneurs are destined to steer the course of ASEAN-China cooperation towards more successes and victories. The ACC will always be one of the most important and relevant partners making sustained contribution to this grand cause.                  

The representatives from the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council, the Young Entrepreneurs Associations from all ASEAN Member States (AMS), and renowned local enterprises in Zhaoqing shared their insights on further enhancing ASEAN-China cooperation, especially in such emerging areas as artificial intelligence, new-energy vehicle (NEV), smart cities, advanced manufacturing, new-type energy storage and talent-training in a digitized arena. 

Director Sun Yi also attended the ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneurs Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum on the same day, which proceeded under such themes as “the Role of Youth Organizations in Promoting Regional Economic Integration” and “New Paths for Enterprises Innovation and Development”. Participants from young entrepreneur associations of Brunei, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Macau SAR, as well as the persons-in-charge of enterprises from both ASEAN and China shared their best practices of bringing into full play of the wisdom and dynamism of young entrepreneurs, and encouraging and executing innovation in their sphere.