On February 27, under the guidance of China International Communications Group（CICG）, ChinaForeign Affairs University, and the Publicity Department of the CPCGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee, the “Top Ten NewsStories on 2024 China-ASEANCooperation” release event was co-hosted by theCICGAsia-Pacific , the Institute of Asian Studiesof theChinaForeign AffairsUniversity, and Guangxi University. The event was organized by the China-ASEAN Research Institute,Research InstituteforInnovation and Development and the China-ASEANSchool ofEconomics at Guangxi University.Li Guozhong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangxi University, attended the event and delivered a welcome speech. Xia Guoen,Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Guangxi University, hosted the event.Gao Anming, Editor-in-Chief of the China International Communications Group(CICG);Li Pan, DeputyDirectorof the Publicity Department of the CPCGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee; Taing Sokngorn, Consul General of Consulate General of Cambodia in Nanning;Gao Fei, Vice President of theChinaForeign AffairsUniversity, and Liang Yiguang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat,attended the event and delivered speeches.

Li Guozhong stated that the release of the “Top Ten NewsStories on 2024 China-ASEANCooperation” not only showcases the achievements of bilateral cooperation over the past year but also looks forward to a shared future and deepened cooperation, injecting new energy into the construction of a China-ASEANcommunity ofsharedfuture. Guangxi University is committed to implementing the international development strategy of “deepeningcooperation withASEAN andopenning tothe world,” focusing on building a series of distinctive brands for China-ASEANhigher institutions, conducting quality regional studiesconcentrating onASEAN, and producing a number of new landmark achievements. He pointed out thatGuangxiUniversity will fully leverage its strategic advisory, information consulting, and talentcultivationroles to more effectively serve China-ASEAN strategic cooperation,making new and greatercontributionsto the building of a closer China-ASEANcommunity ofsharedfuture.

Gao Anming emphasized that China and ASEAN represent the most dynamic regions in the world today. Despite increasing global development uncertainties, China and ASEANalwayssupport each otherandsolidify the relationship. He suggestedboth sides should, firstly,enhancing media collaboration to create a diverse communicationframeworkthat allows more people tolearn aboutthe fruitful results of China-ASEAN cooperation, thereby fostering a better international public opinion environment;secondly,promoting think tank exchanges to deepen policy communication and recommendations, providing more scientific support for bilateral cooperation, and supporting regional cooperation to advance to a higher level; andlastly,facilitating youth exchanges to strengthen the foundation of mutual understanding, engaging more aspiring young people in the cause of China-ASEAN friendship to contribute their youthful energy to regional prosperity.

Li Pan remarked that Guangxi, as afront-linewindow for China's open cooperation with ASEAN,hasactively expandedits international media “network”, establishing partnerships with over 60 media outlets from 38 Belt and Road Initiative countries and regions. Guangxi hascollaboratedwith ASEAN media to co-host programs, jointly produce content, and promote comprehensive media cooperation; and continuously organizecultural exchange activities such as the China-ASEANMediaWeek, Music Week, Drama Week, and Film Culture Week, injecting Guangxi’s wisdom and strength into building a closer China-ASEANcommunitywith asharedfuture. He suggestedboth sides shoulddeepening communication cooperation to promote neighborly friendship, enhancing technological innovation to lead media development, and facilitating talent exchanges to foster regional prosperity, further consolidating consensus and pooling strength.

Taing Sokngornnoted that under strategic guidance and the efforts of all sectors,Cambodia and China has strengthenedmutual trust in political affairs,steadily improvedeconomic and trade cooperation.Infrastructure and cross-border payment systems have achieved connectivity;cultural and technological exchanges are thriving, and innovation and green cooperation have made new progress. As China’s only province with land and sea borders with ASEAN countries, Guangxi serves as a frontline and window for China-ASEAN exchanges and cooperation. Cambodia and Guangxi complement each other’s strengths, facilitating the construction of Cambodia-China “Diamond Six-Sided” Cooperation Framework.He hopes both sides candeepen collaboration in fields such as trade investment, agricultural development, digital economy, green development, and cultural exchanges, promoting the co-creation of a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard China-Cambodiacommunitywith asharedfuture in the new era.

Gao Fei stated that the concept of“Communitywith AShared Future forAll theMankind”has developed into a broad and comprehensive scientific system. Currently, dozens of countries and regions, including several ASEAN nations, are working with China to establish various forms of such communities. This year,ResearchCenterOnBuildingACommunityWithA SharedFutureForMankindwas officially established at the ChinaForeign Affairs University. Theuniversitywillcontinue to actively fulfill its responsibilities in researching, interpreting, and promoting Xi Jinping’s diplomatic thoughts within the framework of China-ASEAN cooperation.The universityaims to enhance quality collaboration on the Belt and Road Initiative and the three global initiatives, complementing and synergizing with the ASEAN community construction, thereby taking concrete actions to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Liang Yiguang stated that since its inception over 20 years ago, the China-ASEAN Expo has grown alongside the China-ASEAN relations and the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, playing an important role in constructing a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo will seize the crucial opportunity of the upcoming signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Version 3.0 Protocol, focusing on practicality, driven by innovation, market-oriented, and service-supported, to pursue new paths and innovative development, injecting new momentum into regional economic growth.

Xia Guoen mentioned that 2024 is the Year of China-ASEANPeople to PeopleExchange, marking an important year for both sides to elevate their cooperation to new heights. China and ASEAN have achieved fruitful results in areas such as infrastructure connectivity, economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchange, technological innovation, and educational collaboration, providing strong momentum for regional peace and prosperity.AtGuangxi University, all guests gatheredtogetherto witness the grand releaseeventof the“Top Ten NewsStories on 2024 China-ASEANCooperation”and to envision a bright future for China-ASEAN cooperation in 2025.

Experts from China and ASEAN countries provided comments and speeches on the“Top Ten NewsStories on 2024 China-ASEANCooperation”.This selection was jointly compiled by theCICGAsia-Pacific and the Institute of Asian Studiesof theChinaForeign AffairsUniversity, in collaboration with relevant academic institutions. It summarized the achievements of China-ASEAN cooperation over the past year in areas such as Head-of-State Diplomacy, Belt and Road cooperation, and other significant fields, showcasing the positive momentum and tremendous potential of China-ASEAN cooperation. Theselectionactivity for“Top Ten NewsStories on China-ASEANCooperation”has developed substantial brand influence across various sectors in China and ASEAN over the years.

Thereleaseevent attracted over 300 participants and guests from government agencies,higher institutions, think tanks, and media from both China and ASEAN countries.