On 5-6 June 2025, the 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People's Government of Anhui Province, was held in Huangshan City, Anhui Province. The ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) has supported the Forum and H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC was invited to deliver keynote speeches at the opening ceremony and the RCEP-Yangtze River Delta Young Entrepreneurs Dialogue.

At the opening ceremony on the morning of 5 June 2025, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun highlighted that jointly building a high-level RCEP is a significant strategic measure to cope with the challenges of trade protectionism, promote regional economic integration, and achieve sustainable development of all member countries. RCEP member countries should focus more on cooperation in emerging industries including digital economy, green energy and service trade, and continuously tap into the dividends of RCEP. It is also necessary to make full use of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Version 3.0 in enhancing market openness and regulatory coordination. By promoting the integrated and coordinated development of RCEP and the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Version 3.0, we can accelerate the integration of regional industrial and supply chains and provide new impetus for the development of RCEP towards higher level, broader scope, and greater inclusiveness.

H.E. Wu Weihua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, H.E. Bhokin Bhalakula, Former President of the National Assembly of Thailand, H.E. Liang Yanshun, Secretary of the Anhui Provincial CPC Committee, H.E. Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Approximately 300 representatives from a wide range of sectors of 15 RCEP member countries participated in the forum.

At the RCEP-Yangtze River Delta Young Entrepreneurs Dialogue held on the afternoon of 5 June 2025, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun stressed that while the United States’ trade and tariff policy has severely disrupted the world economic order, RCEP has promoted economic cooperation and integration within the region and boosted trade and investment flows between member countries, especially between ASEAN and China. It has deepened the interconnection of regional supply chains and become the cornerstone of the Asia-Pacific economy. He expected young people of RCEP countries to take on the mission and responsibility of the times to safeguard the security, stability, and smooth operation of the regional industrial and supply chains. Meanwhile, the young people should also firmly grasp the opportunities brought by the explosive growth of digital economy and artificial intelligence, engage in scientific and technological innovation, and promote high-quality development of the regional economy.

H.E. Sun Yong, the Vice Governor of Anhui Province, and H.E. Chea Kosal, Secretary of State for Labor and Vocational Training of Cambodia, attended the dialogue and delivered speeches. Young entrepreneurs and experts from the business community of RCEP member countries engaged in the dialogues on promoting regional digitally-empowered cooperation and youth entrepreneurship, and opportunities for vocational education cooperation under the RCEP framework.

Prior to the opening of the forum, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun, with senior officials from ASEAN countries, representatives from other international organizations and ASEAN diplomatic missions in China, met with Mr. Wang Qingxian, Governor of Anhui Province. 

This forum, themed "Regional Cooperation and Joint Development," aims to promote the high-quality implementation of RCEP and enhance understanding and cooperation between local governments of Anhui Province and other RCEP member countries.