The ACC Encourages Young Students to be Relayers of ASEAN-China Friendship

 
    On 19 April 2024, the ASEAN-China Center (ACC) held the program titled "ACC Secretary General on Campus" at Jiangsu University, where Secretary General Shi Zhongjun delivered a lecture “Invigorating ASEAN-China Relations with Vitality, Wisdom and Responsibility” and interacted with over 200 students and faculty members, including more than 70 overseas students from ASEAN Member States (AMS). Mr. Li Hongbo, Secretary of the Party Committee of Jiangsu University, Ms. Cai Yingfeng, Vice President of Jiangsu University, and Ambassador Xu Bu, President of Institute of International Development and Security Studies (IIDSS) of Jiangsu University attended the event.


   
    Secretary General Shi began by introducing the history of ASEAN's development, reviewing the achievements made by ASEAN and China in promoting strategic mutual trust, deepening practical cooperation and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. He gave the young students a comprehensive account of the development of China-ASEAN relations, explaining the significance of China and ASEAN to each other. SG Shi emphasized that, as one of the most active, substantive and productive relationships between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, China-ASEAN relations have set a fine example of seeking common development through win-win cooperation, making significant contributions to regional and global peace, stability and development.



    Secretary General Shi encouraged young students from ASEAN and China to inherit and carry forward the traditional friendship between China and ASEAN, invigorate their wisdom and vitality into ASEAN-China relations, and explore new opportunities for China-ASEAN cooperation in the new era, so as to contribute to the sustained growth of ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and building a closer ASEAN-China community of shared future.



    During the Q&A session, Secretary General Shi had a heated exchange with students from AMS including Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar, answered their questions about the importance of China's development to ASEAN-China cooperation, the successful practice of ACC in promoting education cooperation, and requirements for students who wish to work in international organizations. The atmosphere at the scene was very warm, decorated by applause from time to time. The students said that the lecture provided a rare opportunity for them to have an in-depth understanding of ASEAN-China relations, with a strong hope to devote themselves to promoting practical cooperation and exchanges between ASEAN and China upon the completion of their studies in China.



    SG Shi also met with Secretary Li Hongbo to exchange views on making full use of the advantages of agricultural disciplines of Jiangsu University to promote multifaceted cooperation with ASEAN countries in the field of industry, academia and research. Secretary General Shi was also invited to inaugurate the China-ASEAN Relationship Study Center at Jiangsu University.



    On 20 April, SG Shi was invited to address the opening ceremony of the Symposium on Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and the Building of an Asia-Pacific Community with a Shared Future at Jiangsu University, sharing his in-depth thoughts on promoting an even closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future as an example for building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. SG Shi also attended the opening ceremony of the 14th International Culture Festival of Jiangsu University on the same day.