On 20 February January 2025, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh of Vietnam to China in the ACC.

Secretary General Shi congratulated Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh on his assumption of office, warmly welcomed his visit to the ACC, and expressed his appreciation for the support given by the Embassy to the ACC. Shi stressed that despite global uncertainties, ASEAN-China relations have maintained robust momentum with frequent high-level exchanges, strengthened mutual trust, growing economic cooperation and rebounding people-to-people exchanges, which inject stability and vitality to the regional and global peace and development. He briefed Ambassador Pham the efforts of the ACC in promoting ASEAN-China cooperation in 2024 and the work plan in 2025. Shi emphasized that the ACC looks forward to working with the Vietnam side in further promoting practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, especially within the framework of 2025 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China, so as to contribute more to the steady and strong growth of ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.  

Ambassador Pham commended the ACC for its pivotal role in fostering mutual understanding and substantive cooperation between ASEAN and China. Noting Vietnam’s dual role as both close neighbour to China and important member of ASEAN, he appreciated China supporting ASEAN centrality and addressing disputes through dialogue, and reaffirmed the commitment of Vietnam on prioritizing relations with China both bilaterally and multilaterally. Leveraging celebrations of the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties and the people-to-people exchange year between Vietnam and China, he and his team in the Vietnam Embassy are willing to continue supporting and participating in the ACC activities, and looks forward to collaboration with the ACC in areas such as trade promotion, human resource, vocational training and people-to-people exchanges in future endeavours.