APEC SPECIAL EDITION LAUNCHED IN DA NANG

Guo Weimin (second right), vice minister of China's State Council Information Office, Xi Hui (first right), consul-general of China in Da Nang, Nguyen Thi Phuong (second left), deputy director-general of the Information Media Office of Da Nang, and Chen Shi (first left), deputy editor-in-chief of the China International Publishing Group and president of China Report Press, attending the launch ceremony of the China Report ASEAN special edition for APEC Vietnam 2017.

On the morning of Nov. 5, 2017, a launch ceremony was held for the China Report ASEAN special edition for APEC Vietnam 2017 at the Chinese Consulate General in Da Nang, Vietnam. Attendees of the event included Guo Weimin, vice minister of China's State Council Information Office, Xi Hui, consul-general of China in Da Nang, Nguyen Thi Phuong, deputy director-general of the Information Media Office of Da Nang, and Chen Shi, deputy editor-in-chief of the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and president of China Report Press, as well as representatives of Chinese enterprises operating in Da Nang, Chinese and Vietnamese journalists and other personnel.

In his speech at the ceremony, Guo said he looked forward to Chinese President Xi Jinping attending the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and his state visit to Vietnam. The visit would mark the first time Xi visited a foreign country following the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Guo added. He also said the visit will carry great significance in enhancing neighborly and friendly relations between China and Vietnam and building a community of shared future between the two neighbors. It will lay a more solid foundation for China-Vietnam relations in the future as well. In this context, the publishing of the China Report ASEAN special edition for APEC Vietnam 2017 is of vital importance, as it will serve as a new window for the Vietnamese people to closely observe and experience China, Guo said.

When addressing the event, Xi Hui noted that with the concerted efforts of the two peoples, the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam has been steadily enhanced over the past decades, with mutual political trust deepening, fruitful cooperation results being achieved and cultural exchanges becoming more frequent. Xi Hui added that bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture, education and tourism and non-governmental exchanges in different forms are expected to be further promoted to create a favorable environment for the development of Sino-Vietnamese relations. She also said she hopes the launch of the China Report ASEAN APEC Special Edition will allow more people in Vietnam to understand China's development and its new ideas on governance, as books and magazines are important forms of cultural exchange.

Focusing on the APEC 2017 summit and also covering the 19th CPC National Congress and the Sixth Meeting of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Special Edition presents a comprehensive picture of Sino-Vietnamese economic and trade cooperation achievements from all aspects, as well as positive results made in the coordination of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's Two Corridors, One Economic Circle plan.

“This magazine is exactly what we look forward to,” said secretary-general of the Business Association of China in Vietnam Hai Phong Branch Wang Yang, reading the Special Edition with excitement. He mentioned that the Chinese-funded enterprises that have invested in ASEAN member states expect more media coverage on their development so that local residents can gain a better understanding of China.

Wu Junhua, a lecturer at the University of Foreign Language Studies (a member of the University of Da Nang), said he believes that the magazine could be used as an extracurricular reading material for Vietnamese students, because it will not only help them with language learning, but also understand cooperation in the political, economic, educational and cultural fields between the two countries.

“I hope to read more stories about the cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and China,” said a Chinese-speaking tour guide native to Da Nang. “I'll help people learn more about these stories.” The tour guide added that China Report ASEAN plays an important role in promoting mutual understanding and mutual trust between the two peoples, as it enables ordinary readers in both China and Vietnam to learn more about each other's politics, culture and social development.

Guided by the CPC Publicity Department and run by China Report Press under CIPG, China Report ASEAN is a national monthly English periodical first published in January 2016. It is focused on friendly relations between China and ASEAN in political, economic, social and cultural fields, as well as people-to-people exchanges, setting up a platform for two-way communication in various areas.

The atmosphere during the event was warm and friendly despite the rain in Da Nang, Vietnam.