On 20 December 2025, Mrs. Pawaree Xuto Chaipatiyut, Acting Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, attended the 15^th Joint Council Meeting of the ASEAN-China Centre in Wenchang City, Hainan Province. The Meeting reviewed the implementation of the Centre’s work and exchanged views on its Work Plan for 2026, as well as on the advancement of key cooperation projects, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, education and culture, sustainable development, tourism, environment, and agriculture, to guide the development of projects and activities that will further strengthen relations and cooperation between ASEAN and China.

The Deputy Director-General proposed that the ASEAN-China Centre explore collaboration with existing ASEAN centres, and encouraged the Centre to consider organising activities related to the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), as well as expanding engagement with children and youth. In this regard, she also reaffirmed Thailand’s support for the work of the ASEAN-China Centre in promoting security, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region.

In addition to the official meeting programme between 21-22 December 2025, delegates received briefings on Hainan Province’s economic potential, infrastructure development, and advancements in earth sciences and space technology. They also visited the space museum in Wenchang City, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, and the Hainan Free Trade Port (HFTP) in Haikou.