ASEAN, China launch ACC to boost cooperation
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Xinhua, November 18, 2011
The ASEAN-China Center ( ACC) was officially launched Friday by leaders from China and Indonesia Friday at the 14th ASEAN-China Summit in Bali, Indonesia.
The Secretary-General of ACC said the center would work to boost ties among 10 ASEAN states and China.
"Today is a special and exciting day for the ASEAN and China as the inauguration of the Center reflected the support and high expectations of governments and leaders from ASEAN countries and China," Mr. Ma Mingqiang, the Secretary-General of ACC, told a full-house media at a press briefing after the launching ceremony.
"The Center is a one-stop information bank and activities center to serve the ASEAN-China cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education and culture, launched one year after the opening of the Center website, also called the virtual Center at the ASEAN-China Hanoi Summit in October, 2010," he said.
According to Ma, the Center is headquartered in Beijing, but in the future, the affiliated centers will be set up in ASEAN countries and other parts of China.
"The objectives of the ACC are enhancing the two-way flow of investments, trade and tourists, and enhancing the cultural and educational opportunities between the ASEAN and China," he stressed, adding that he firmly believed it could facilitate bilateral and multilateral cooperation among the 11 countries in various fields.
The 14th ASEAN-China Summit was held earlier in the day to commemorate the 20th anniversary of dialogue between the ASEAN and China, during which Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and heads of state or government from ASEAN countries reviewed the relations and cooperation between the ASEAN and China, and deliberated the future direction of the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity.
The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
