Beaming with confidence, Ma Mingqiang says he is determined to do everything in his capacity to strengthen people-to-people awareness and understanding between ASEAN and China during his three-year tenure. Why? "It is the weakest link," he says, between ASEAN and China, one of their most important dialogue partners with a combined population of nearly 2 billion. Ma's remark matters, because he is the secretary-general of ASEAN-China Center and takes his pledges seriously.

Indeed, given the current state of ASEAN-China relations, marred by the South China Sea disputes, the Beijing-headquartered ACC has done much to ease tensions in the region and bring together people from different countries for friendly discussions and celebrations. The center has organized myriad events and activities to build trust between the two sides.

The latest event to be organized by the center was Indonesian Night in Beijing - a program to promote the culture and food of Indonesia. It will be followed by an exhibition of paintings by renowned Chinese artists in Bangkok from Aug 13 to 19 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership