The Philippine Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Edgardo B. Espiritu, will formally hand over the ASEAN London Committee chairmanship to the Singaporean High Commissioner, H.E. Mr. Michael Eng Cheng Teo, at the 1/2005 ALC Meeting on 19 January 2005. The Singaporean High Commissioner is the ALC chairman for the period January - June 2005.

ALC Afternoon Tea with Mr. Douglas Alexander, UK Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, 29 November 2004, London

Mr. Douglas Alexander, UK Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, hosted an afternoon tea for the ASEAN London Committee (ALC) on 29 November 2004. On the occasion, he briefed the ALC on the UK perspectives on the Middle East peace process, taking into consideration the changing circumstances in the region with the death of Mr. Arafat and the reelection of President Bush. He also cited the growing challenge counter-terrorism poses to the effective political cooperation between the UK and the ASEAN.

An ASEAN Program of Action for 2005 was adopted by the ASEAN London Committee (ALC) at its 6/2004 meeting on 6 October 2004, hosted by the Philippines Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Edgardo B. Espiritu. The two-pronged Program of Action aimed at: (a) strengthening ASEAN solidarity (b) promoting and widening awareness and appreciation of ASEAN, with the end goal of promoting the region's interests in the UK. Part of the Program of Action is the holding of an ASEAN Economic Seminar some time in the middle of 2005 and an ASEAN Gala Night some time in November 2005, to coincide with the annual World Travel Mart.

The Philippine Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Edgardo B. Espiritu, was invited to speak at the Global Europe 2020 Seminar on 29 September 2004. As the ALC Chairman, the Philippine Ambassador used the occasion to present the ASEAN voice and perspectives to the Europeans and to sell ASEAN as a region of rising opportunities and increasing potentials for European investors.

The AUBF hosted a briefing at the London Chamber of Commerce on 09 September 2004 where the ALC Chairman delivered a keynote address. The briefing bannered theme ASEAN: The New World Powerhouse? Participants included medium scale businesses in the UK with investments in the Asia-Pacific region.

Another AUBF activity during the period was a World Trade Organization seminar on the theme of The Doha Round: Where We Are and Our Future Prospects held at the Claridges Hotel on 15 September 2004. WTO Director General Dr. Sujpachai Panitchpakdi delivered the keynote speech. The seminar was attended by about 250 people from the business sector, academe and diplomatic community.

From the period of July to December 2004, the ASEAN London Committee (ALC) had four informal working luncheons with some prominent UK personalities including Mr. Mike O'Brien, former UK Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs and incumbent Minister of State for Energy and E-Commerce; Prof. Victor Bullmer-Thomas of Asia House; Mr.Asis Anwar Alunad, Director, Asia-Pacific, UK Trade and Investment; and Mr. Derek Tonkin, CMG Director, Euro-Thai Investments Limited and Dr. Richard Jones, Manager of Corporate Responsibility at Premier Oil Pic.

The luncheons provided a venue for an exhaustive exchange of views/insights on issues of significance to ASEAN, which included among others, UK position relating to the Korean Peninsula, terrorism, US elections, ASEAN concerns vis-à-vis the UK perceptions on the ASEAN region, EU expansion, and the UK and EU position on the enlargement of the ASEM membership.

The Chairmanship of the ASEAN Geneva Committee (AGC) has been taken over by H.E. U Mya Than, Permanent Representative of Myanmar, on June 2004. The former Chairman, Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Deputy High Commissioer for Human Rights and Assistant Secretary-General, received a farewell lunch hosted by AGC on 14 July 2004 at Noga Hilton Hotel, Geneva, in honor of his contribution to the Committee.

AGC Exchange of views with Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Acting High Commissioner of UN Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR), Geneva, 5 March 2004.

The AGC invited the Acting High Commisioner for UNHCR Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, during the AGC meeting held on 5 March 2004 at the Philippine Mission in Geneva to brief the AGC and exchange views on key issues relevant to the 60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights held on 15 to 23 March 2004 in Geneva.

AGC Working Lunch with Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director-General of the UN Office in Geneva, Geneva, 5 March 2004.

The AGC Ambassadors hosted a working lunch for UNOG Director-General, Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze on 5 March 2004, to exchange views on various issues related to the work of the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, and to deepen the cooperation between the AGC and the UNOG. In the Meeting, the AGC Chairman emphasized the recent developments in ASEAN, particularly the highlights of ASEAN Summit held in Bali in October 2003. The Meeting also made two suggestions, namely, to seek ASEAN Permanent Observer Status in the UN and to reform the UN System. Moreover, the meeting discussed the recent developments in the Conference on Disarmament.

AGC Meeting with ASEAN Sec-Gen Ong Keng Yong, Palais des Nations, 26 January 2004.

ASEAN Secretary-General Ong KengYong met with the ASEAN Geneva Committee at the Palais des Nations on 26 January 2004. The Meeting discussed issues on ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN-EU consultations, ASEAN Secretariat-AGC information exchanges, ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and ASEAN relations with the WTO.

Director-General Dr. Lee Jong-wook of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other WHO officials briefed on 7 May 2004 the AGC Permanent Representatives and experts on the main issues pertaining to the 57^th World Health Assembly (WHA) which was held in Geneva from 17-22 May 2004.

AGC had an informal exchange of views on various international trade and developments at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) with the UNCTAD Secretary-General Rubens Ricupero on 5 May 2004 in Geneva

Mr. Ricupero noted with satisfaction the constructive engagement and many contributions of ASEAN in international trade negotiations. He noted that WTO members are currently faced with difficulties to re-engage in the negotiation process in a basically cold negotiating environment. In the meantime, UNCTAD had been caught in between the forthcoming UNCTAD XI Conference in June this year and the WTO deadline to finish the current round of negotiations in July.

A meeting between Mr. David Mulroney, Assistant Deputy Minister of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), and the ASEAN Ottawa Committee (AOC), represented by the Heads of Missions of Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. The meeting took place on 17 December 2003 at the initiative of the AOC in view of its concerns over Canada's policy regarding Myanmar

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reaffirmed Japan's commitment to strengthen ties with ASEAN in a meeting on 26 November 2003 with the ASEAN Tokyo Committee ahead of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo on 12 December 2003. In a 45-minute meeting with nine of the 10 ambassadors to Japan from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Koizumi said, "The importance Japan places on ASEAN will not change" as quoted by a Japanese foreign ministry official. Koizumi added, "Based on our long cooperative relationship with ASEAN, I would like to maintain and strengthen it in the future." Two ambassadors reportedly praised the prime minister after Japan said it intended to sign ASEAN's 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam organised the "ASEAN Table-tennis Tournament" which was held on Sunday, 26th October 2003 at the ACT Table-tennis Club, Corner Canberra Ave and Dawes St, Kingston. All staff of the ASEAN Mission and their families participated in the tournament.

H.E. Dr. Rajmah Hussain, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Malaysia, in her capacity as the Chairman of the ASEAN Geneva Committee (AGC), registered the AGC's deep shock and sadness on the tragic death of Mr. Vieira de Mello, to the Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Bertrand G. Ramcharan. She lamented that Mr. Vieira de Mello's demise was a great loss and his dedication and commitment to his work will forever be remembered in particular by the ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of ASEAN in Geneva who have had the opportunity to work closely with him during the course of the 59th Session of the Commission of Human Rights.

The ASEAN Moscow Committee, at its meeting on 26 June 2003, discussed the proposed Russia-ASEAN Working Group on Transport. The AMC noted that in the future Russia would ask for the connection of its Siberian railways to the ASEAN Singapore-Kunming Rail Link.

H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, the Vice Foreign Minister, had attended the ASEAN Committee Beijing Luncheon on 10th June 2003 at the St. Regis Hotel, Beijing. During the Luncheon, the Vice Foreign Minister informed the ASEAN Committee Beijing of China's preparation for the upcoming Foriegn Ministers Meeting in Cambodia and discused various international issues. China continues to support the leading role of ASEAN within ARF.

The ASEAN Committee in Wellington (ACW) got down to Public Diplomacy in April and May 2003. The Committee addressed the Labour Party Caucus in Parliament, briefing them on how ASEAN was combating the SARs epidemic as well as the terrorist onslaught. This was followed up by a presentation to the local Governments of Zone 4. At the end of April 2003, as guest of His Worship Mayor Alan Milne, Mayor of Kapiti Coast, the Committee took the opportunity to appraise the Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors of Zone 4 on Combating Terrorism, Trade Opportunities and Economic Development in ASEAN.

The Committee attended the ACW-ASEAN New Zealand Combined Business Committee (ANZCBC) Joint Meeting and discussed plans for the rest of the year. This project climaxed in a reception hosted by His Worship Mayor John Banks with the business community from Auckland, the ASEAN Ambassadors/High Commissioners and also members of the ANZCBC.

Signing Ceremony: Handover of ACB Chairmanship from Ambassador Don Pramudwinai of Thailand to Ambassador Tran Van Luat of Viet Nam, at the Embassy of Malaysia on 21 April. 2003.

H.E. Mr. Dai Bingguo, Executive Vice Foreign Minister, and Madame Fu Ying, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs, Chinese MFA, were ACB's guests of honour at the ACB luncheon, following the ACB Meeting No.4/2003, hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia on 21 April 2003. Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo took an opportunity to brief ACB on ASEAN-China cooperation and the situation of SARS epidemic in China.

ACB Ambassadors, led by Thai Ambassador and ACB Chairman Don Pramudwinai, called on H.E. Mr. Li Zhaoxing, newly appointed Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, on 11 April 2003. Foreign Minister Li spoke highly of the friendly and cooperative relations between ASEAN and China. The new Chinese government would further promote friendly and reciprocal cooperation with ASEAN countries, regarding ASEAN as good neighbouring friends and partners.

ACB outreach activity: ACB-PKU Joint Discussion on "ASEAN-China Cooperation" at Peking University on 8 April 2003. ACB Ambassadors were warmly welcomed by University President Xu Zhihong, faculty members and Chinese students of Peking University. The gathering provided a good opportunity for both ACB and participants from Peking University to exchange views on friendly relationship between ASEAN and China, strengthening ASEAN-China cooperation through the young Chinese generation. The event also highly captured the interest of Chinese media.

On 21 March 2003, the ASEAN Brussels Committee Sub-Committee on Trade met with Mr. Philippe Meyer, Head of Unit for Coordinating Policy with Southeast Asia, and other European Commission officials to exchange views on EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy’s proposed trade action plan with ASEAN.

The ASEAN Committee, Beijing (ACB) held a working dinner with H. E. Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Ministers of the People's Republic of China, on 12 January 2003. hosted a dinner for H.E. Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, on 12 January 2003 at Grand Hyatt Beijing Hotel.
At dinner, which was noted to have a friendly atmosphere, Minister Tang briefed ACB Ambassadors on China's position on ASEAN-China cooperation, North Korea and Iraqi issues.

ASEAN London Committee (ALC) held a lunch with MR. Mike O'Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on 17 December 2002; Dinner with Mr. Peter Mandelson MP, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, on 12 November 2002; Lunch with Ms. Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development, on 12 September 2002.


ASEAN Committees in Third Countries Recent Activities and Information Handing Over of the ALC Chairmanship The Philippine Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Edgardo B. Espiritu, will formally hand over the ASEAN London Committee chairmanship to the Singaporean High Commissioner, H.E. Mr. Michael Eng Cheng Teo, at the 1/2005 ALC Meeting on 19 January 2005. The Singaporean High Commissioner is the ALC chairman for the period January - June 2005. ALC Afternoon Tea with Mr. Douglas Alexander, UK Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, 29 November 2004, London Mr. Douglas Alexander, UK Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, hosted an afternoon tea for the ASEAN London Committee (ALC) on 29 November 2004. On the occasion, he briefed the ALC on the UK perspectives on the Middle East peace process, taking into consideration the changing circumstances in the region with the death of Mr. Arafat and the reelection of President Bush. He also cited the growing challenge counter-terrorism poses to the effective political cooperation between the UK and the ASEAN. ALC Adopted the ASEAN Program of Action for 2005 An ASEAN Program of Action for 2005 was adopted by the ASEAN London Committee (ALC) at its 6/2004 meeting on 6 October 2004, hosted by the Philippines Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Edgardo B. Espiritu. The two-pronged Program of Action aimed at: (a) strengthening ASEAN solidarity (b) promoting and widening awareness and appreciation of ASEAN, with the end goal of promoting the region's interests in the UK. Part of the Program of Action is the holding of an ASEAN Economic Seminar some time in the middle of 2005 and an ASEAN Gala Night some time in November 2005, to coincide with the annual World Travel Mart. ALC Chairman Speaks at Global Europe 2020 Seminar The Philippine Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Edgardo B. Espiritu, was invited to speak at the Global Europe 2020 Seminar on 29 September 2004. As the ALC Chairman, the Philippine Ambassador used the occasion to present the ASEAN voice and perspectives to the Europeans and to sell ASEAN as a region of rising opportunities and increasing potentials for European investors. Launching of the ASEAN-UK Business Forum (AUBF) Website The Philippines, as the ALC Chairman for the period, hosted a reception for the launching of the ASEAN-UK Business Forum (AUBF) website on 28 July 2004. The occasion was attended by about 80 people from the ASEAN diplomatic community and the business sector. The AUBF hosted a briefing at the London Chamber of Commerce on 09 September 2004 where the ALC Chairman delivered a keynote address. The briefing bannered theme ASEAN: The New World Powerhouse? Participants included medium scale businesses in the UK with investments in the Asia-Pacific region. Another AUBF activity during the period was a World Trade Organization seminar on the theme of The Doha Round: Where We Are and Our Future Prospects held at the Claridges Hotel on 15 September 2004. WTO Director General Dr. Sujpachai Panitchpakdi delivered the keynote speech. The seminar was attended by about 250 people from the business sector, academe and diplomatic community. ALC Luncheons with Prominent UK Personalities From the period of July to December 2004, the ASEAN London Committee (ALC) had four informal working luncheons with some prominent UK personalities including Mr. Mike O'Brien, former UK Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs and incumbent Minister of State for Energy and E-Commerce; Prof. Victor Bullmer-Thomas of Asia House; Mr.Asis Anwar Alunad, Director, Asia-Pacific, UK Trade and Investment; and Mr. Derek Tonkin, CMG Director, Euro-Thai Investments Limited and Dr. Richard Jones, Manager of Corporate Responsibility at Premier Oil Pic. The luncheons provided a venue for an exhaustive exchange of views/insights on issues of significance to ASEAN, which included among others, UK position relating to the Korean Peninsula, terrorism, US elections, ASEAN concerns vis-à-vis the UK perceptions on the ASEAN region, EU expansion, and the UK and EU position on the enlargement of the ASEM membership. Activities of the ASEAN London Committee from April to June 2004. 1. New Chairman of ALC: H.E. Mr. Edgardo B. Espirito The Chairmanship of the ASEAN London Committee has been taken over by H.E. Mr. Edgardo B. Espirito, Ambassador of the Philippines. The former Chairman, H.E. Dr. Kyaw Win, Ambassador of Myanmar, formally handed over the Chairmanship at the ALC Meeting 3/2004 held on 24^th June 2004 in London. 2. ASEAN-UK Business Forum, London, 4 June 2004 The ALC Chairman and representatives of ASEAN Heads of Mission were invited as guests of honour to a Breakfast Meeting organized by the ASEAN-UK Business Forum in London, 4^th June 2004. The Meeting discussed the global strategic importance of ASEAN. 3. ALC Informal Working Luncheon with Dr. Michael Williams, Special Adviser to the Secretary of State, and Mr. Michael Reilly, Head of Southeast Asian Department of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, 6 May 2004 During the ALC Meeting 2/2004 held on 6 May 2004 in London, the host of the Meeting, H.E. Mr. Pengiran Haji Yunus, the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam, invited Dr. Michael Williams, Special Adviser to the Secretary of State, and Mr. Michael Reilly, Head of Southeast Asian Department of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as the special guests to the luncheon. During the luncheon, the guests answered questions concerning UK’s views on Southeast Asia and the status of new EU countries and exchanged views with the ALC Heads of Mission. New Chairman of AGC: H.E. U Mya Than The Chairmanship of the ASEAN Geneva Committee (AGC) has been taken over by H.E. U Mya Than, Permanent Representative of Myanmar, on June 2004. The former Chairman, Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Deputy High Commissioer for Human Rights and Assistant Secretary-General, received a farewell lunch hosted by AGC on 14 July 2004 at Noga Hilton Hotel, Geneva, in honor of his contribution to the Committee. AGC Exchange of views with Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Acting High Commissioner of UN Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR), Geneva, 5 March 2004. The AGC invited the Acting High Commisioner for UNHCR Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, during the AGC meeting held on 5 March 2004 at the Philippine Mission in Geneva to brief the AGC and exchange views on key issues relevant to the 60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights held on 15 to 23 March 2004 in Geneva. AGC Working Lunch with Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director-General of the UN Office in Geneva, Geneva, 5 March 2004. The AGC Ambassadors hosted a working lunch for UNOG Director-General, Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze on 5 March 2004, to exchange views on various issues related to the work of the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, and to deepen the cooperation between the AGC and the UNOG. In the Meeting, the AGC Chairman emphasized the recent developments in ASEAN, particularly the highlights of ASEAN Summit held in Bali in October 2003. The Meeting also made two suggestions, namely, to seek ASEAN Permanent Observer Status in the UN and to reform the UN System. Moreover, the meeting discussed the recent developments in the Conference on Disarmament. AGC Meeting with ASEAN Sec-Gen Ong Keng Yong, Palais des Nations, 26 January 2004. ASEAN Secretary-General Ong KengYong met with the ASEAN Geneva Committee at the Palais des Nations on 26 January 2004. The Meeting discussed issues on ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN-EU consultations, ASEAN Secretariat-AGC information exchanges, ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and ASEAN relations with the WTO. Director-General Dr. Lee Jong-wook of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other WHO officials briefed on 7 May 2004 the AGC Permanent Representatives and experts on the main issues pertaining to the 57^th World Health Assembly (WHA) which was held in Geneva from 17-22 May 2004. AGC had an informal exchange of views on various international trade and developments at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) with the UNCTAD Secretary-General Rubens Ricupero on 5 May 2004 in Geneva Mr. Ricupero noted with satisfaction the constructive engagement and many contributions of ASEAN in international trade negotiations. He noted that WTO members are currently faced with difficulties to re-engage in the negotiation process in a basically cold negotiating environment. In the meantime, UNCTAD had been caught in between the forthcoming UNCTAD XI Conference in June this year and the WTO deadline to finish the current round of negotiations in July. A meeting between Mr. David Mulroney, Assistant Deputy Minister of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), and the ASEAN Ottawa Committee (AOC), represented by the Heads of Missions of Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. The meeting took place on 17 December 2003 at the initiative of the AOC in view of its concerns over Canada's policy regarding Myanmar Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reaffirmed Japan's commitment to strengthen ties with ASEAN in a meeting on 26 November 2003 with the ASEAN Tokyo Committee ahead of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo on 12 December 2003. In a 45-minute meeting with nine of the 10 ambassadors to Japan from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Koizumi said, "The importance Japan places on ASEAN will not change" as quoted by a Japanese foreign ministry official. Koizumi added, "Based on our long cooperative relationship with ASEAN, I would like to maintain and strengthen it in the future." Two ambassadors reportedly praised the prime minister after Japan said it intended to sign ASEAN's 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam organised the "ASEAN Table-tennis Tournament" which was held on Sunday, 26th October 2003 at the ACT Table-tennis Club, Corner Canberra Ave and Dawes St, Kingston. All staff of the ASEAN Mission and their families participated in the tournament. H.E. Dr. Rajmah Hussain, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Malaysia, in her capacity as the Chairman of the ASEAN Geneva Committee (AGC), registered the AGC's deep shock and sadness on the tragic death of Mr. Vieira de Mello, to the Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Bertrand G. Ramcharan. She lamented that Mr. Vieira de Mello's demise was a great loss and his dedication and commitment to his work will forever be remembered in particular by the ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of ASEAN in Geneva who have had the opportunity to work closely with him during the course of the 59th Session of the Commission of Human Rights. The ASEAN Moscow Committee, at its meeting on 26 June 2003, discussed the proposed Russia-ASEAN Working Group on Transport. The AMC noted that in the future Russia would ask for the connection of its Siberian railways to the ASEAN Singapore-Kunming Rail Link. H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, the Vice Foreign Minister, had attended the ASEAN Committee Beijing Luncheon on 10th June 2003 at the St. Regis Hotel, Beijing. During the Luncheon, the Vice Foreign Minister informed the ASEAN Committee Beijing of China's preparation for the upcoming Foriegn Ministers Meeting in Cambodia and discused various international issues. China continues to support the leading role of ASEAN within ARF. The ASEAN Canberra Committee reported the Media Release on 4 September 2003 by The Hon. Alexander Downer MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs and The Hon. Mark Vaile MP, Minister of Trade of Australia regarding “New Measures to Assist ASEAN Countries.” These new measures to further promote economic integration and competitiveness in the Asean region involve four projects totaling A$5.16 million to be funded by the Australian Government’s overseas aid program and are part of a six-year A$45 million ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program. The ASEAN Ottawa Committee is organizing a Trade and Business Forum in the city of Montreal in October 2003. This is part of AOC's annual schedule of activities to promote ASEAN in Canada. Canada's Minister of International Trade has agreed to deliver the key-note address at the Forum to send a strong message to the Canadian business community to upgrade its trade and economic ties with the region. The Forum expects more than 100 businessmen to participate. The ASEAN Committee in Wellington (ACW) got down to Public Diplomacy in April and May 2003. The Committee addressed the Labour Party Caucus in Parliament, briefing them on how ASEAN was combating the SARs epidemic as well as the terrorist onslaught. This was followed up by a presentation to the local Governments of Zone 4. At the end of April 2003, as guest of His Worship Mayor Alan Milne, Mayor of Kapiti Coast, the Committee took the opportunity to appraise the Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors of Zone 4 on Combating Terrorism, Trade Opportunities and Economic Development in ASEAN. The Committee attended the ACW-ASEAN New Zealand Combined Business Committee (ANZCBC) Joint Meeting and discussed plans for the rest of the year. This project climaxed in a reception hosted by His Worship Mayor John Banks with the business community from Auckland, the ASEAN Ambassadors/High Commissioners and also members of the ANZCBC. Signing Ceremony: Handover of ACB Chairmanship from Ambassador Don Pramudwinai of Thailand to Ambassador Tran Van Luat of Viet Nam, at the Embassy of Malaysia on 21 April. 2003. H.E. Mr. Dai Bingguo, Executive Vice Foreign Minister, and Madame Fu Ying, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs, Chinese MFA, were ACB's guests of honour at the ACB luncheon, following the ACB Meeting No.4/2003, hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia on 21 April 2003. Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo took an opportunity to brief ACB on ASEAN-China cooperation and the situation of SARS epidemic in China. ACB Ambassadors, led by Thai Ambassador and ACB Chairman Don Pramudwinai, called on H.E. Mr. Li Zhaoxing, newly appointed Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, on 11 April 2003. Foreign Minister Li spoke highly of the friendly and cooperative relations between ASEAN and China. The new Chinese government would further promote friendly and reciprocal cooperation with ASEAN countries, regarding ASEAN as good neighbouring friends and partners. ACB outreach activity: ACB-PKU Joint Discussion on "ASEAN-China Cooperation" at Peking University on 8 April 2003. ACB Ambassadors were warmly welcomed by University President Xu Zhihong, faculty members and Chinese students of Peking University. The gathering provided a good opportunity for both ACB and participants from Peking University to exchange views on friendly relationship between ASEAN and China, strengthening ASEAN-China cooperation through the young Chinese generation. The event also highly captured the interest of Chinese media. On 21 March 2003, the ASEAN Brussels Committee Sub-Committee on Trade met with Mr. Philippe Meyer, Head of Unit for Coordinating Policy with Southeast Asia, and other European Commission officials to exchange views on EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy’s proposed trade action plan with ASEAN. The ASEAN Committee, Beijing (ACB) held a working dinner with H. E. Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Ministers of the People's Republic of China, on 12 January 2003. hosted a dinner for H.E. Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, on 12 January 2003 at Grand Hyatt Beijing Hotel. At dinner, which was noted to have a friendly atmosphere, Minister Tang briefed ACB Ambassadors on China's position on ASEAN-China cooperation, North Korea and Iraqi issues. ASEAN London Committee (ALC) held a lunch with MR. Mike O'Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on 17 December 2002; Dinner with Mr. Peter Mandelson MP, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, on 12 November 2002; Lunch with Ms. Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development, on 12 September 2002. ASEAN-India Business Summit, New Delhi, 17 October 2002