On 6 June 2024, the 2024 Beijing CBD Forum “Dialogue on Sustainable Development in Regional Economic and Trade Cooperation” was launched in Beijing. Director Sun Yi of the General Affairs and Coordination Division of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was invited to attend and address the forum on behalf of Secretary General Shi Zhongjun. Nearly 100 participants, including representatives from Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Chaoyang District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, diplomats from Embassies of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in Beijing, ASEAN and Chinese business associations, enterprises, think tanks, financial institutions and media agencies were present.
 
      Sun Yi stressed that sustainable development cooperation stands out as a crucial area of practical cooperation between ASEAN and China, providing strong support to in-depth economic cooperation and trade between both sides. The increasingly enhanced economic integration, consolidated connectivity and expanded people-to-people exchanges between both sides have injected fresh vitality into the post-pandemic recovery of the regional economy. Under the new circumstances, Beijing should fully draw on its geographical advantage and competitive resources, make good use of opportunities brought forth by new quality productive forces, materialize concrete cooperation with AMS in such fields as digital technology, green economy and emerging industries, so as to build an open and innovative network for mutually beneficial cooperation, add more competitive edge to regional industries and create new points of growth in practical cooperation between ASEAN and China.
      Centering on the theme of Accelerating the Formation of New Productivity: Boosting Sustainable Development of ASEAN-China Regional Economic Cooperation and Trade, the participants conducted heated discussions on how to align the needs on both ends to reap fruits of cooperation in improving green urban planning and management, application of data-based technologies, and advancing emerging industries.