Beijing, July 9 (AseanAll) — Mr. Zhang Lizhong, the new Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), arrived at the ACC Secretariat on 8 July 2026, and was warmly greeted by all the officials and staff of the ACC. Ms. Han Mei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, accompanied SG Zhang to the Secretariat.
A welcoming ceremony was held at the ACC Secretariat. In her remarks, Deputy Director-General Han noted that as the sole inter-governmental organization between ASEAN and China, the ACC has played an irreplaceable role in promoting friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between the two sides. Over the past nearly four years, with a focus on implementing the consensus reached by our leaders, the ACC has hosted and participated in nearly one thousand events covering many fields, built up well-known flagship brand projects, and also become more internationalized in its operations. This year witnesses three important milestones: the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-China CSP, the 35th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, as well as the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the ACC. Against such favourable backdrop, Ambassador Zhang Lizhong, a seasoned senior diplomat, has taken office as the new SG with unanimous endorsement from AMS. She expressed her confidence that under the leadership of SG Zhang, the ACC will build on its past achievements and continue leverage its unique role as a bridge for friendly exchanges and cooperation to give a stronger boost to ASEAN-China relations and the building of a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future. China will continue to support the ACC’s development and provide all necessary assistance.
SG Zhang, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the trust conferred on him by the governments of China and AMS. He hailed the fruitful outcomes of ASEAN-China relations and emphasized the ACC’s core function as a vital bridge and connection cementing bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Echoing Han Mei’s emphasis on this year signifying three landmark anniversaries for ASEAN-China relations as well as the ACC, he vowed to carry forward past achievements, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by leaders, advance alignment of development strategies of the two sides, give full play to the ACC’s bridging role, and join all colleagues to steadily advance the development of a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.
As approved by the Joint Council of the ACC, Mr. Zhang Lizhong assumes office as the fifth Secretary General of the ACC on 8 July 2026.
ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) is an inter-governmental organization co-founded by 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China. ACC was officially launched at the Commemorative Summit marking the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations on 18 November 2011. ACC Secretariat is located in Beijing. The current Secretary General is Mr. Zhang Lizhong.
