The 2023 ASEAN-China Conference on Sustainable Development Cooperation kicks off in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on May 24. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

The 2023 ASEAN-China Conference on Sustainable Development Cooperation commenced in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on May 24.

This year marks the halfway point of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and there are still many obstacles to achieving the goals proposed in the agenda, noted Li Junhua, under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs of the UN, who addressed the conference via video link.

He called on all parties to act in the common interest of mankind and build a fairer and more inclusive international financing system to contribute more to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Hou Yanqi, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of China to ASEAN, pointed out during her video address that China is the largest developing country in the world and an active supporter and practitioner of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and that ASEAN also attaches great importance to sustainable development and regards the realization of the agenda as an important part of its community-building.

Hou said she hopes that the conference will serve as a platform to push forward China-ASEAN cooperation on sustainable development.

Hong Hupeng, mayor of Huzhou, said that Huzhou and ASEAN have enjoyed fruitful friendly exchanges and are important cooperative partners to each other.

Huzhou, he added, will take this conference as an opportunity to continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN member states, especially in scientific and technological innovation, digital transformation, low-carbon development of the economy and society, agricultural modernization and other areas, as well as to jointly explore the path of sustainable development.

The conference also witnessed the signing of letter of intent on the establishment of friendly exchange relations between Huzhou and Tuguegarao, the Philippines and a cooperation agreement between the Huzhou Council for the Promotion of International Trade and ASEAN-China Commerce Association.

In addition, Huzhou Vocational and Technical College has reached partnership with the Education Committee of BIMP-EAGA, Malaysia Business Council.