On 10 September 2025, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) convened its second 2025 Joint Executive Board (JEB) Working Group Meeting in Beijing. The meeting reviewed progress on the ACC’s work and projects since the first meeting this year and discussed plans for the next phase.

The Meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Norfarina Mohd Azmee of the Embassy of Malaysia in China and Counsellor Lei Zhen of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of China. Attendees included representatives from China’s MFA, ASEAN Member State (AMS) Embassies, and ACC division heads.  

Norfarina underscored recent ASEAN-China achievements, emphasizing that the July 10th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting defined strategic guidance for next-phase ASEAN-China cooperation. The Foreign Ministers yielded consensus on designating 2026 as the “Theme Year for the 5th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”, adopting and implementing the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030), and looking forward to sign the protocol to the Version 3.0 ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) within this year. 

Holding the 2025 ASEAN Chair and ASEAN-China Coordinator roles, Malaysia prioritizes advancing cooperation in artificial intelligence, sustainable development, digital technology, and people-to-people exchanges. These priorities directly correspond to the ACC’s annual programme. Malaysia highly values the ACC’s activities implementing leaders' consensus and enhancing ASEAN-China cooperation. It is willing to work with the ACC to pool the friendly forces of ASEAN and China, and continuously consolidate the long-term foundation for the development of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Lei Zhen spoke highly of the work of the ACC and stated that China-ASEAN cooperation stands as both a regional stabilizer and a vital pillar for tackling global challenges, especially with the rising global instability and uncertainty from the impact of tariff wars and trade wars. This vital partnership, driven by aligned visions, shared goals, and extensive common interests, remains dynamic and holds significant potential.

He is looking forward to the work of the ACC that is in line with the leaders’ strategic consensus to advance Plan of Action implementation. By capitalizing on opportunities from RCEP’s deepening implementation and ACFTA’s upgrade, the ACC must maintain its role as an effective platform and generate signature initiatives that broaden practical China-ASEAN cooperation in all fields, fostering greater mutual understanding and affinity between our peoples.

Heads of the ACC divisions briefed participants on key activities over recent months and outlined upcoming work plans. JEB members commended the ACC’s comprehensive efforts, particularly its successful events under the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, such as the AMS Ambassadors’  Trip to Xinjiang, the ASEAN-China Durian Festival, the 2025 ASEAN-China Innovative Economic Forum, ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum and the ACC Scholarship Short Course Program for AMS Officials. They pledged continued support for future ACC events including the 2025 ASEAN-China Week and offered constructive suggestions for enhancing the ACC’s future work and institutional mechanisms.