On 26 July 2024, a delegation of Malaysian young diplomats from Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), headed by IDFR Director General Syed Mohamad Bakri, paid a visit to the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), where they were warmly hosted by Secretary General Shi Zhongjun and persons-in-charge of the ACC divisions. 

Shi Zhongjun welcomed the delegation visiting the ACC, briefed the audience on the progress of ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership and the ACC’s latest efforts. Under the backdrop of celebrating the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia in 2024, the ACC has been working closely with China and ASEAN Member States (AMS) to conduct a series of activities enhancing people-to-people exchanges and advancing trade and investment cooperation. He stressed that, although the international landscape undergoes profound transformation, the historical trend toward multi-polarity and economic globalization remains unchanged, and cooperation for common development remains the common aspiration for the peoples in the region. As the world's second and fifth largest economy respectively and important members of Global South, both ASEAN and China stand at a critical stage in the pursuit of quality development and modernization, achieve fruitful progress in practical cooperation and enjoy broader prospects for more cooperation in the future. Shi Zhongjun looked forward to this trip to China enabling the Malaysian young diplomats to better understand China, Malaysia-China relations and ASEAN-China relations in a holistic and in-depth manner, so as to contribute to enriching and enhancing ASEAN-China relations with their diplomatic expertise and wisdom. 

Director General Bakri expressed deep appreciation to the hospitality of the ACC, spoke highly of the strong relations between ASEAN and China which always keep abreast with the times. He applauded the ACC’s efforts, as the only inter-governmental organization co-founded by 10 AMS and China, in facilitating practical cooperation in areas including trade, investment, education, culture, tourism and media. The visit to the ACC will surely help the young diplomats be equipped with a more profound understanding of the ACC and ASEAN-China relations, which will be very beneficial to their future undertakings. The IDFR looks forward to exploring cooperation with the ACC, such as co-hosting exchange of visits and joint training programs for diplomats, in the purpose of enriching the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership in the long run.

During the discussions, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun also took questions from the floor on such issues as the prospects of ASEAN-China relations, regional economic integration and how to deal challenges in the era of digitization.