On July 31 2025, the opening ceremony of the 2nd ACC Scholarship Short Course Program for Government Officials of ASEAN Member States (AMS) was successfully held at Renmin University of China (RUC). 22 government officials from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam participated in the program. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Vice President Zhi Xiaoqiang of the Renmin University of China, Professor Liu Shouying from the Renmin University of China, and Ms. Nguyen Ta Ha Mirep from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the opening ceremony. 

Shi Zhongjun stated that the young officials, representing the next generation of leaders in their respective countries, are the bridge between ASEAN and China peoples, the innovators of policy solutions, and the driving force behind regional prosperity. He hoped that through this program, officials from AMS could have firsthand insights into China’s governance, economy, society and culture and establish connections in China and serve as bridges fostering ASEAN-China relations. 

Zhi Xiaoqiang expressed that this program is an important practice by Renmin University of China and the ACC in promoting regional civilizational dialogue. RUC is committed to strengthening collaboration with the ACC, using education as a bond and culture as a bridge, to jointly deepen the solid collaboration between China and ASEAN countries. 

Nguyen Ta Ha Mirep, as the representative of participants, said that the program not only offers a valuable learning opportunity but also serves as a platform for strengthening mutual understanding, cross-cultural communication, and long-term cooperation between ASEAN.

The ACC Scholarship Short Course Program for Government Officials of ASEAN Member States was initiated by the ACC in 2024 under the framework of “ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges” (ACYPPE), in the purpose of facilitating policy exchange and fostering mutual trust and understanding. The 2nd program was organized by Renmin University of China in Beijing and supported by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation and the People’s Government of Tianjin Municipality.