On 21 August 2024, the China-ASEAN Thousand Schools Hands Together Conference was convened in Guiyang. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Secretary-General Yang Jun of China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), Deputy Director General Jia Peng of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) and Minister Counsellor Pasupha Chinvarasopak for Higher Education and Science of Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing attended and addressed the Conference.

Shi Zhongjun indicated that, as one of the most important initiatives proposed by MOE of China under the framework of the 2024 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges, the “Thousand Schools Hands Together Initiative” is put forward with a perfect timing and promising future. He noted that the Initiative will further enhance talent cultivation, institutional collaboration and youth exchanges between ASEAN and China. Broader and stronger ASEAN-China educational cooperation will not only deepen people-to-people exchanges, but also expedite economic development and social progress on both sides. He looked forward to both sides strengthening alignment of policy and resources, developing brand projects and improving the related cooperation, so as to ensure a smooth and quality implementation of the Initiative.

At the Conference, 16 pairs of partner schools signed agreements of cooperation, and the program titled “Principals Hands Together in Guizhou” was also launched.  

The “Thousand Schools Hands Together Initiative” aims at partnering the schools equipped with resources, mechanisms, programs and best practice, in an effort to deepen their communications, exchanges and mutual learning, so as to add more strength to the long-term building of ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Since its launching, the Initiative has already attracted a participation of more than 1500 schools from ASEAN and China.