From 19 to 20 November 2018, the ASEAN Connectivity Workshop on Increasing Awareness of Master Plan of ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, which was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia and supported by the Cambodian and Chinese governments, was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Mr. TauchChankosal, Secretary of State and National Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia, Mr. Kan Pradhi, Secretary of State and Mr. Ouk Supron,Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. PovPiseth, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap, as well as Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) attended the workshop and delivered remarks. About 150 participants including government officials and experts from ASEAN Member States and China, and representatives of international organizations such as ASEAN secretariat, Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank and ACC among others attended the workshop.
Secretary-General Chen Dehai said in his remarks that over the past 15 years since the establishment of strategic partnership, ASEAN-China relations have grown significantly, and the dialogue partnership has become the most vibrant one with the most substantial cooperation in the region. The ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, which was adopted at the 21th ASEAN-China Summit, has charted the course for long-term development of the bilateral relations. As the only inter-governmental organization between ASEAN Member States and China, ACC has become a bridge for ASEAN-China friendly exchanges and an important platform to promote mutually beneficial cooperation. ACC stands ready to make positive contributions to the sustained and in-depth development of ASEAN-China relations in the new era by fostering stronger synergy between Belt and Road Innitiative, ASEAN Vision 2030 and MPAC 2025.
The participants discussed on the implementation of the MPAC 2025, role of relevant mechanisms including ASEAN Connectivity Coordination Commission, involvement and support of dialogue partners and networking among CLMV country agencies and other stakeholders, opportunities and challenges of ASEAN connectivity building etc.. Mr. Guo Chuanwei, Director of Trade and Investment Division of ACC, briefed on the role of ACC in supporting MPAC 2025.
During his stay in Cambodia, Secretary-General Chen Dehai had a field visit to the China-aided Cambodia Rural Road Project Phase I and had work exchange with ZuoWenxing, the Charge D’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia.