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The Research Hub on institutions of China (RHIC) of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) held a seminar titled "Shared Future: Toward a Closer ASEAN-China Community" on September 14. The event featured keynote speaker H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In his speech, Dr Kao emphasised the importance of peace, prosperity, and the planet as the foundation of a strong ASEAN-China community. He called for continued focus on economic cooperation, openness in trade and investment, and a commitment to addressing climate change and environmental degradation.

“Our future will rest entirely on how peaceful this region is going to be. And that's why it's important for ASEAN to work together with our partners such as China, include Hong Kong too, to ensure that we continue to build confidence, to build trust, strategic trust, across the different stakeholders in this region,” said Dr Kao.

Professor Xiang Zhang, President of HKU gave a welcome remark at the seminar. He said: “In this increasingly challenging world, the ASEAN community plays a pivotal role. Young talent and continually growing, the ASEAN community is one of the leading engines for global economic growth for the decades to come. The diversity of culture, language and history across its members is complemented by shared values and commitments to the comprehensive economic development. The Sino-ASEAN relationship Is mutually beneficial.”

The Research Hub on Institutions of China is a research initiative established under the Faculty of Social Sciences which aims to become a world-class platform fostering interdisciplinary, cross-institutional, and cross-regional research collaboration. As a coordinator for communication among eminent minds sharing a common interest in China's past, present, and future, the centre serves as an incubator for innovative research that inspires a new generation of scholars in contemporary China studies.

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