China and ASEAN to hold special commemorative summit for the 25th anniversary of dialogue relations

Exclusive interview with Dr. AKP Mochtan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN (Part 1)

China and ASEAN will hold a special commemorative summit, which has already been scheduled to take place in September, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations, Dr. AKP Mochtan, Deputy Secretary- General of ASEAN, told People’s Daily Online in an exclusive interview Tuesday.

There will be a series of commemorative activities throughout the year as 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. Since 2016 is also designated as the ASEAN-China year of education, Dr. Mochtan emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchange between China and ASEAN.

Dr. AKP Mochtan paid a visit to People's Daily on April 12. He is in Beijing, leading a delegation of scholars from ASEAN member states to attend a symposium on the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations, co-hosted by China Institute of International Studies and ASEAN-China Center.

Dr. Mochtan notes the ASEAN-China relationship has progressed a lot, yet there is still room for improvement. Instead of confining the China-ASEAN relations to the previous 25 years, he suggests to look forward and endeavor to lift the relationship to new high. On top of the flourishing economic cooperation, people-to-people exchange is Dr. Mochtan's focal point as he believes people's real experiencing can eventually become appreciation and understand on both sides. “I am satisfied with the relations at the moment, and I am having much more expectations for the future.”

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