From 25 to 29 July, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) invited Ambassadors from the ASEAN Member States (AMS) on a trip to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Ambassador Pehin Dato Rahmani Dato Basir of Brunei, Ambassador Somphone Sichaleune of the Lao PDR, Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh of Vietnam and their spouses, as well as Ambassador Jaime A. FlorCruz of the Philippines, with other senior diplomats from ASEAN embassies, attended the trip.  

During their stay in Xinjiang, the delegation was warmly received by Mr. Erkin Tuniyaz, Deputy Secretary of CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, Governor of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional People’s Government. Erkin said that Xinjiang attaches great importance to fostering friendly cooperation with ASEAN countries. The two sides enjoy a solid foundation, complementary strengths, and remarkable achievements in political mutual trust, economic and trade exchanges, as well as people-to-people and cultural interactions. Erkin expressed appreciation to ASEAN countries for their support to the development and stability of Xinjiang. He emphasized that Xinjiang is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with ASEAN in various fields, and enhance people-to-people exchanges at all levels under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, so as to jointly elevate China-ASEAN relations to a new height.

Shi Zhongjun stated that Xinjiang and ASEAN countries exhibit strong complementarity in sectors such as industry, agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as cultural tourism, with significant untapped potential for cooperation. The ACC will further leverage its role as a bridge and bond to facilitate economic and trade exchanges and people-to-people connectivity between the two sides.

The ASEAN envoys expressed admiration for Xinjiang’s rich historical heritage, diverse ethnic cultures, and abundant tourism resources. Several delegates on a return visit noted the remarkable changes in its economic and social development in recent years, and were deeply impressed by the harmonious coexistence of all ethnic groups and the dynamic social environment. They voiced support for establishing more sister-city ties between Xinjiang and AMS localities to further strengthen the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the local level.  

During their stay, the delegation visited a range of cultural, historical, and economic landmarks including the Kashgar’s Ancient City, the Xinjiang Ethnic Musical Instrument Village, Id Kah Mosque, Tianshan Scenic Area, the Flaming Mountains, Karez Irrigation Park, the Grape Valley, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum, as well as local enterprises. They also called at  farmers’ courtyards to face-to-face exchanges with local residents.