(AseanAll) — On 18 August 2026, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) hosted a reception to welcome the new Secretary General of the ACC, Zhang Lizhong, and bid farewell to the former Secretary General, Shi Zhongjun.
Around 200 guests attended the event, including Shen Minjuan, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Dato’ Norman Muhamad, Ambassador of Malaysia to China, Zaw Win Myint, Ambassador of Myanmar to China, Chatchai Viriyavejakul, Ambassador of Thailand to China, Pham Thanh Binh, Ambassador of Viet Nam to China and other diplomatic representatives of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in China. Other guests include representatives of international organizations, Nurlan Yermekbayev, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Zhang Jun, Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Dr. Jiang Hui, Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, and Mr. Wang Gang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center, as well as officials from relevant Chinese government ministries, foreign affairs offices of local provinces and cities, and media representatives from China and ASEAN countries.
In her address, Shen Minjuan noted that this year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, while ASEAN has kicked off ASEAN Community Vision 2045. It also marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Guided by the shared strategic vision of leaders of both sides, ASEAN-China cooperation has stayed at the forefront of regional cooperation. It has produced fruitful outcomes and improved the lives of our people. At present, both China and ASEAN countries are at a critical junctures of our modernization drive. China will work with ASEAN countries to make good use of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0, expand cooperation in new fields such as AI and green development, and deliver on the five proposals on building our home together. This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of the ACC. With its growing influence, it is hoped that the ACC will play an even bigger role for the friendship and cooperation between China and ASEAN in the years ahead. As the host country, China will continue to offer full support and facilitation for the Secretary General to perform his duties and for the operation of the ACC.
Zhang Lizhong expressed his gratitude to all parties for their longstanding support for the work of the ACC and thanked Ambassador Shi Zhongjun for his contributions to the development of the ACC. He pointed out that, amid a complex and volatile international landscape, unity and cooperation between ASEAN and China are especially important. Over the past 15 years, the ACC has been deeply engaged in economic and trade exchanges, people-to-people exchanges, culture and tourism, media cooperation, and sub-national engagement, building various cooperation platforms and achieving fruitful results. Since assuming his new role, he has been deeply impressed by the broad prospects for the cooperation between both sides and the great potential of the ACC’s work. Looking ahead, the ACC will closely focus on the important consensus of leaders and the overall direction of cooperation, with a focus on advancing collaboration in emerging areas such as digital economy, artificial intelligence, green transformation, and technological innovation. The ACC will actively develop flagship programmes including the “Encounter: China and ASEAN Promotional Series and ACC Open Day” and “Heart to Heart: ASEAN-China Youth Exchange Programme,” so as to continuously broaden cooperation and contribute to the sustained elevation and development of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
In his farewell speech, Shi Zhongjun thanked the governments of ASEAN countries and China, as well as relevant departments, for their support and trust in both the ACC and his personal work. He expressed his firm belief that under the leadership of the new Secretary General, the ACC will seize new opportunities and play an even greater role in deepening political mutual trust, advancing practical cooperation, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges, ushering in a new and more brilliant chapter.
Pham Thanh Binh, Ambassador of Viet Nam to China, delivered remarks on behalf of the diplomatic envoys of AMS in China as the rotating chair of the ASEAN Committee in Beijing. He stated that ASEAN-China relations enjoy a sound momentum of growth and broad prospects for cooperation. He spoke highly of the important bridging role played by the ACC in promoting practical cooperation and enhancing people-to-people connectivity between ASEAN and China. He stressed that Viet Nam stands ready to continue actively supporting the ACC’s flagship programs and, through the ACC as a platform, deepen bilateral cooperation with China in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to contribute to building an even closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.
Guests at the event also visited an exhibition featuring representative intangible cultural heritage items from various Chinese localities. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, as guests exchanged views on friendship and cooperation.
