Photo: VOV

The China-Southeast Asia High-level People-to-People Dialogue was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in China on June 4, under the theme “Peace for Development and Cooperation for Win-Win-Common Dream and Aspiration of the People”.

The event, organised by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE), brought together government officials, former senior politicians, business leaders, scholars and representatives from non-governmental organisations from China, Timor-Leste and ten ASEAN member countries.

In his opening remarks, Liu Qibao, head of the Chinese delegation to the event and Politburo member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), highlighted the long-term exchanges between China and ASEAN, elaborated the theme of the new Chinese leadership, which centres around the realisation of the Chinese dream.

This also includes a win-win element of peaceful coexistent, development and cooperation, and to advance the strategic relations between China and ASEAN. Speaking as the local host, Peng Qinghua, the CPC Chief of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said Guangxi is a perfect setting to host the Dialogue.

Located in the South of China, the Guangxi shares a border with the Vietnam. Situated at the juncture of South China Economic Rim, Southwest China Economic Rim and ASEAN Economic Rim, Guangxi is the only region in China that has both land and sea accesses to ASEAN, an international passage connecting China with ASEAN and the forefront for China’s cooperation with ASEAN, said Peng.

Guangxi is committed to supporting and implementing the China – ASEAN Dialogue Relations, and deepen cooperation with the people to bring benefit for the peoples of China and Southeast Asia, he added.

In his remark, Li Jinjun, Executive Vice-President of CNIE, introduced Nanning as a venue that played host to the “China-ASEAN Expo” (CAEXPO) since 2004, as well as the “China-ASEAN Business Investment Summit”.

At the Dialogue, the ASEAN Secretariat delegation led by Danny Lee, Director for Community Affairs Development, also met Liang Sheng Li, Vice-Chairman of Guangxi CPPCC, for discussions.

Liang outlined three areas which Guangxi could help enhance China-ASEAN relations – organising a better CAEXPO, utilising the platform of the Dialogue to enhance the connections at the people to people level for better communication and understanding, expanding communications in the fields of culture, tourism, sports, and many others.

In reply, Danny Lee said ASEAN and China are important partners in almost every way.

ASEAN and China are both focused on raising the living standards of our people. For this to succeed, a peaceful and stable environment is important for every player in the Asia-Pacific, said Lee.

Source: VNA