The ACC Co-hosts ASEAN-China Sustainable Development Conference

On 11 to 12 May 2025, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Department of Zhejiang Provincial People's Government and Huzhou Municipal People's Government, co-hosted the 3rd ASEAN-China Conference on Sustainable Development Cooperation in Nanxun of Huzhou City. The opening ceremony was attended by high-level representatives from Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, Huzhou Municipal People’s Government, the ACC, the ASEAN embassies and Consulate General in Shanghai, and over 200 participants from Chinese local provinces and cities, international organizations, ASEAN business associations, financial institutions, enterprises, think tanks, and media. During the conference, Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of the ACC, Nur Athira Hani Abdul Rahman, Acting Consul General of Malaysia in Shanghai, Wang Hongwei, Deputy Director-general of the Foreign Affairs Department of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, Zheng Xinyou, Vice Mayor of Huzhou Municipal People’s Government, and Yang Guozhi, District Chief of Nanxun, Vidavone Keobounkhong, Consul General of Laos in Shanghai, and Elizani TX Nadia Sumampouw, Minister-Counsellor of the Indonesian Embassy in China delivered remarks.

Shi Zhongjun highlighted that ASEAN and China share highly integrated development philosophies, and both are committed to a development path characterized by green foundation, innovation-driven and people-centered growth. In recent years, ASEAN and China have been proactively exploring industrial transformation and deepening win-win cooperation in sustainable development. All these cooperation not only promote the development of green economy of both sides and enhance the level of trade and economic cooperation, but also substantially contribute to achieving the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. With the full implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area version 3.0, trade barriers to green technology will be significantly reduced. As the US abandons its commitment to combating climate change by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and steps deeper into protectionism by imposing tariffs on most countries, it is of the utmost importance for ASEAN and China to adhere to a rules-based, open, and inclusive multilateralism, persist in promoting regional integration and integrated development, further deepen cooperation in the green transition and technological innovation, continuously injecting economic resilience and quality into the sustainable development of the region.

Nur Athira Hani Abdul Rahman noted that in recent years, the relationship between ASEAN and China has made significant progress. Recently, the Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia and other ASEAN countries reaffirmed China's position as a close neighbor and long-term strategic partner of ASEAN. The leaders of both sides signed multiple cooperation agreements, demonstrating their confidence in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly maintaining regional stability and prosperity. ASEAN and China are each other's largest trading partners with a bright future for cooperation. As Malaysia undertakes the ASEAN chairmanship this year, Malaysia is willing to work with all parties to jointly address global challenges and seize the opportunities of the times.

Wang Hongwei, Zheng Xinyou, and Yang Guozhi respectively introduced the unique advantages and great potential of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou City, and Nanxun District in carrying out mutually beneficial cooperation with ASEAN countries. They expressed their determination to fully implement the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's visit to ASEAN countries, to implement the Global Development Initiative and to continue strengthening communication and exchanges with ASEAN countries, pushing China-ASEAN sustainable development cooperation to new heights.

Wang Xiaojun, Trust Fund Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, stated through a video message to the conference that, in the current context where globalization is facing counter currents and regional integration and sustainable development are challenged, the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and ASEAN has become a model for South-South cooperation. The conference, with the theme of "Green-driven Development for a Shared Future" in line with the spirit of the United Nations Future Summit, which advocates inclusiveness, sustainability, and digitally empowered development, is of timely and practical significance. The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation is willing to work with all parties to continuously promote cooperation in green development and digital economy in Asia and wider region.

Prior to the conference, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun and his delegation met with Lian Kunming, Mayor of Huzhou Municipal People’s Government. The two sides had in-depth discussion on the growing cooperation between Huzhou and ASEAN in various fields, including ecological civilization, cultural tourism, and trade and investment.