On 4th December, the 2025 Joint Executive Board (JEB) Meeting of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was held in Beijing, co-chaired by Wei Huaxiang, Level I Bureau Rank Official of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and Ambassador Dato` Norman Bin Muhamad of Malaysia to China, on behalf of the rotating chair of ASEAN.

Ambassador Pehin Dato Rahmani of Brunei Darussalam, Ambassador Soeung Rathchavy of Cambodia, Ambassador Chatchai Viriyavejakul of Thailand, Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh of Viet Nam, Chargé d’Affaires Parulian Silalahi of the Indonesia Embassy and envoys of ASEAN Member States to China and representatives of their embassies and also the JEB China Council members including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the ACC officials attended the Meeting. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun reported on the ACC’s work in 2025, as well as its 2026 work plan and draft budget. The JEB deliberated on and approved each item one by one.

Secretary General Shi Zhongjun reviewed the ACC’s work progress in 2025 and stated that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both sides, the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to deepen, with fruitful achievements made in cooperation across various fields. Committed to implementing the consensus reached by the leaders and aligning with the strategies of two sides. It has actively explored new areas such as the digital economy, green transition, and smart agriculture, making new contributions to promoting practical cooperation and enhancing people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two sides, which has been fully affirmed by the leaders of both parties. 2026 marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the 15th anniversary of the ACC’s founding. The ACC will continue to run its flagship projects well, pursue innovation, and contribute to building a even closer ASEAN-China Community with a Shared Future.

Ambassador Norman stated that the ACC has actively carried out various work, strived to integrate resources from ASEAN countries and localities in China, and effectively promoted cooperation across various fields and people-to-people bonds between the two sides. He expressed expectation that the ACC will continue to advance emerging industry cooperation between ASEAN and China, continuously enhance the public’s perception of ASEAN-China relations, and further promote non-governmental exchanges and friendly sentiments.

Wei Huaxiang noted that the ACC has earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the leaders of two sides, steadily advanced ASEAN-China friendly exchanges and practical cooperation, and its influence and visibility have been continuously rising. He hoped that the ACC will design next year’s activities around the implementation of the leaders’ consensus, expand the breadth and depth of cooperation in light of the new needs of both sides, and constantly inject new impetus into ASEAN-China relations.

Member States of the JEB spoke highly of the ACC’s various efforts and expressed their continued full support for the ACC. They expressed expectation that the ACC will continue to leverage its platform advantages and bridge role, take the opportunity of the 2026 Theme Year of the 5th Anniversary of the Establishment of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, closely align with the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan (2026-2030), continuously deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as economy, trade, investment, education, and tourism, actively tap into cooperation potential in areas including the digital economy, technological innovation, and youth exchanges, constantly enrich the connotation of its activities, and provide impetus for advancing ASEAN-China cooperation in various fields to go deeper and more solid, enhancing mutual understanding, and strengthening people-to-people bonds.

The meeting also discussed matters including Timor-Leste，as the new ASEAN Member State, joins the ACC and takes the holding of the 2025 Joint Council Meeting.