The First China Model ASEAN Meeting

Concluded with Great Success

On September 26 to September 28, 2016, the first China Model ASEAN Meeting was held in Guangxi Normal University by the UNA-China and the ASEAN Foundation.

Amb. Lu Shumin, President of the UNA-China, Mr. Huang Xilian, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Elaine Tan, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, Mr. Lvqing of the Department of Education of Guangxi Autonomous Region and Mr. Wang Nan, Secretary of Guangxi Normal University Party Committee and many other guests attended the opening ceremony.

Amb. Lu extended thanks to, among others, the MFA, the ASEAN Foundation, Guangxi Normal University and ASEAN-China Center for their support for this event. He said that with the theme of Hand-in-Hand Promoting Regional Cultural and Educational Exchanges, the first China Model ASEAN Meeting aimed at enhancing communication and friendship among young people from China and ASEAN countries and would serve as a platform for students to express themselves freely on issues of common concerns and give fresh impetus to the development of China-ASEAN relations and cooperation through seeking common grounds while reserving difference. Deputy Director-General Huang Xilian and Ms. Elaine Tan also delivered speeches. At the end of the opening ceremony, all guests together beat the Zhuang bronze drum, a symbol of good luck and success, and officially started the first China Model ASEAN Meeting.

Over the next three days, 107 Chinese and students from ASEAN countries who are studying in Guangxi formed 12 teams representing 10 ASEAN countries, the ASEAN Secretariat and China. They modeled the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting, Ministers Meeting, Coordinating Committee and Summit according to the rules and procedure of ASEAN meeting. They conducted in-depth discussions on enhancing people-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN countries and adopted a Joint Declaration.

At the closing session, guests gave awards to outstanding teachers and students. They together attended the evening party themed on “Hand-in-Hand Promoting Regional Cultural and Educational Exchanges”.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations and the Year of China-ASEAN Education Exchanges. The China Model ASEAN Meeting is one of the series of commemorating activities.