From December 9 to December 10, 2025, the closing series of events for the 2024-2025 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges was successfully held in Melaka, Malaysia, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association. In his congratulatory message, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his best wishes for the event. The Sultan of Melaka, Tun Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob, declared the event officially closed, and former Thai Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabbaransi attended the event. Yang Wanming, President of the CPAFFC; Lim Ban Hong, the Delegate of Chief Minister of Melaka; Dato Abdul Majid, President of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association; and Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), delivered remarks during the closing ceremony. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, also delivered remarks via video. Nearly 300 representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, the National Radio and Television Administration, as well as officials from 11 Chinese provinces (and autonomous regions) including Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, Henan, Hunan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, as well as representatives from the ASEAN-China Centre, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the friendship organizations from ASEAN countries, were present at the event.
(Group photo)
In his congratulatory message, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that the 2024-2025 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges has written a splendid chapter in deepening friendship, enhancing mutual understanding, and fostering consensus between the people of ASEAN countries and China. He noted that the closing ceremony marked the pinnacle of ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, highlighting that connectivity between peoples is the core of regional cooperation.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also stated that Malaysia was honored to host the event in the historic city of Melaka, which has always been a vibrant symbol of connectivity, mutual learning, and cross-cultural exchanges. The successful conclusion of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges vividly reflected that the foundation of diplomatic relations lies in the connectivity between peoples, and proved that the deepest strength of China-ASEAN relations comes from shared cultural spirit, the carefully nurtured friendships, common values, and a shared vision for the future.
(President Yang Wanming delivers remarks)
President Yang Wanming pointed out that China and ASEAN are connected by mountains and rivers, with cultural ties dating back centuries. The traditional friendship between China and ASEAN continues to grow. In 2021, China and ASEAN established a comprehensive strategic partnership, entering a new stage of cooperation with a focus on upgrading the quality of their collaboration. Cooperation between the two sides has thrived, yielding fruitful results across various sectors. For five consecutive years, China and ASEAN have been each other's largest trading partners. Major projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the China-Laos Railway, part of the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, have been successfully implemented. The two-year ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges has further deepened connectivity and people-to-people cooperation between China and ASEAN. The China-ASEAN relationship has become not only a successful and vibrant model of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific but also a vivid example of promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
President Yang Wanming also introduced the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and stated that China will continue to expand its high-level opening-up and deepen comprehensive reforms, driving high-quality economic and social development, and creating new opportunities for common development with other countries through the achievements of Chinese-style modernization. In 2026, the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership will celebrate its fifth anniversary. The CPAFFC will work with all sectors of ASEAN to implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and ASEAN leaders, continuously enhancing the breadth, depth, and enthusiasm of people-to-people exchanges. The CPAFFC will utilize cultural exchanges to unite hearts, improve livelihoods, and strengthen mutual understanding, making the China-ASEAN connection closer, cooperation more practical, and friendship deeper, while solidifying the foundation of public support for the creation of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
President Dato Abdul Majid of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association emphasized the importance of utilizing the solid foundation laid by the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges to continue strengthening cooperation in areas such as culture, education, and social governance. This will foster regional friendship, build mutual trust, and reinforce the people-to-people ties between ASEAN and China.
Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn of ASEAN stated that, over the past two years, the two sides have held a variety of cultural exchange events that have enhanced mutual trust and friendship, achieving the set goals. He expressed hope to continue strengthening cooperation in areas such as youth, education, science and technology innovation, and sports to promote sustainable development of China-ASEAN relations.
Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre highlighted that true unity, friendship, and mutual trust require not only high-level leadership but also stronger people-to-people exchanges. He stressed that connectivity between peoples is the cornerstone of regional peace, development, and prosperity.
(President Yang Wanming presents awards to representatives of the Top 10 Projects of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges)
At the closing ceremony, President Yang Wanming and Sultan Tun Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob presented awards to the winners of the Top 10 Projects and Best Organization Award of the 2024-2025 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges. The winning projects included the 2024 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges Opening Ceremony, the 2024 ASEAN-China (Henan) Month of People-to-People Exchanges, Divas Hit the Road: Good Friends, the Jiangsu-ASEAN Education Cooperation Exchange Conference, the ASEAN-China Sepak Takraw Invitational Tournament, the 2025 ASEAN-Oriented Forum on Women's Development Exchange and Cooperation, the 11th ASEAN-China Young Leaders Exchange Festival, the 3rd China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (CAIEC), the 2024 ASEAN-China Week, and the China-ASEAN International Conference on Physical Fitness and Health Promotion. The National Radio and Television Administration, the Guangxi People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Guizhou Foreign Affairs Office, the ASEAN-China Centre, and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association were awarded the Best Organization Award.
(Top: Closing ceremony; Bottom: President Yang Wanming meets with leaders of friendly organizations from ASEAN countries)
The closing ceremony began in Melaka's Jonker Street with vibrant drum music and south lion dances, as guests participated in a parade through the streets. They revisited the history of China-Malaysia friendship and planted a tree symbolizing China-ASEAN friendship. Flash mob performances featuring traditional dances and songs from Xinjiang and Malaysia attracted tourists, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held a photo exhibition entitled "Xinjiang is a Wonderful Place", while Liaoning Province showcased its intangible cultural heritage. The Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture Art Theatre Performance Group from Xinjiang, together with local Malaysian art groups, presented a cultural feast for the audience, which received enthusiastic applause. Representatives at the China-ASEAN People-to-People Exchanges Roundtable discussed topics such as "Expanding Cultural Exchanges to Foster a Friendly Society Between China and ASEAN", "Following the Footsteps of Zheng He and Promoting Global Civilization Initiatives", and "Enhancing Mutual Learning to Continue the Traditional Friendship Between China and Malaysia". The discussions reached wide-ranging consensus. The event reached its peak when the youth from both China and Malaysia sang "We Will Get There".
(Top left: Xinjiang dance and song; Top middle: Planting the friendship tree; Top right: Xinjiang photo exhibition; Bottom left: Liaoning intangible cultural heritage exhibition; Bottom middle: South lion dance parade; Bottom right: Roundtable discussions)
The ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges was officially announced at the 26th ASEAN-China Summit. With support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the CPAFFC, as the leading organization, coordinated and organized nearly 200 high-level, high-impact, and highly popular cultural exchange activities over the past two years. These activities have promoted cultural affinity and people-to-people connections between China and ASEAN, creating a broad social impact and laying a solid social foundation for the joint construction of the "five homes".
