On 2-4 November 2025, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), in collaboration with the Shandong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and Dezhou Municipal Government, co-hosted the 2025 Yellow River-Mekong River Exchange Week & ASEAN SME’s Shandong Tour for Cooperation and Development in Dezhou, Shandong Province. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Over 200 representatives from the governments and local authorities of China and ASEAN countries, the business community, as well as embassies and consulates of ASEAN countries in China participated in the event. 

At the opening ceremony, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun highlighted that as the U.S. tariff measures have disrupted global supply chains, both ASEAN and China should translate the consensus of our leaders into concrete action and continuously promote the implementation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area version 3.0. We should work together to facilitate SMEs to effectively utilize international rules, and provide them with policy, financial, and legal support for cross-border business development, to make sure their active participation in regional innovation and continuous expansion of international market. 

H.E. Lin Fenghai, Vice Chairman of the Shandong Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, H.E. Khlok Nouy, Vice Governor of Banteay Meanchey Province of Cambodia, Ms. Daonoi Suttiniphapunt, former Senator of Thailand and Deputy Chairperson of the KPI Student Foundation for Society, Mr. Wei Huaxiang, Primary Inspector General of the Department of Asian Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and Mr. Zhu Kaiguo, Mayor of Dezhou City, attended and addressed the opening ceremony. The distinguished guests unanimously agreed that the economic and trade cooperation between Shandong Province, Dezhou City, and ASEAN countries has continued to deepen, and positive results have been achieved in various fields such as agricultural development, technological innovation, and cultural tourism. Both sides should continue to share development opportunities, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and work together to create an even brighter future.

At the opening ceremony, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun was invited to launch the Inauguration Ceremony of Yellow River-Mekong River Dialogue Secretariat, and witness the release of Dezhou Initiative for Yellow River-Mekong River Dialogue, the signing of MOU Between Banteay Meanchey Province and Dezhou City on the Establishment of Cooperative Relations, and the unveiling ceremony of Thailand Corner of Thai Language and Cultural Exchange Center, among other achievements.

During the subsequent trade and investment policy promotion conference, government officials from Shandong Province and Dezhou City, as well as embassy representatives from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand in China, introduced their respective trade and investment policies and opportunities. Representatives from business associations and enterprises from both sides shared successful experience in advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.

Prior to the forum, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun, ASEAN local government officials and diplomats in China, met with Vice Chairman Lin Fenghai. The two sides had in-depth discussions on continuing to promote cooperation between Shandong Province, Dezhou City, and ASEAN countries in various fields.

This Exchange Week featured a series of events, including two dedicated business matchmaking sessions: the China (Dezhou)-Vietnam Trade and Investment Matchmaking and the China (Shandong)-Cambodia Investment and Trade Meeting, as well as activities such as the Yellow River-Mekong River Basin Local Cooperation Seminar and the Tour of Characteristic Industrial Clusters of SMEs.