For the purpose of strengthening the economic ties and promoting the cooperation in education of economic management among the countries and regions in Asia Pacific (APAC), the business schools in APAC have carried out a lot of academic exchange activities and established the business school deans’ meeting mechanism, which prove to be very effective and productive. One of the important cooperative programs is the establishment of “ASEAN + China Business School Network” (hereinafter referred to as “the Network”) directed by the ASEAN Foundation. Under the support of ASEAN and the Chinese government, the preparatory conference for the establishment of the Network was held in Shanghai, China, in 2012. After a whole-year careful preparation, the Inaugural Meeting of ASEAN + China Business School Network was officially held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on April 2nd-3rd, 2013.

The inaugural meeting adopted the objectives, work plans and liaison organization of the Network. The Network aims at promoting the cooperation in higher education among business schools in ASEAN countries and mainland China on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.

As an initiator of the establishment of the Network, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) sent Prof. Wu Baijun, dean of ECUST School of Business and Associate Prof. Wang Xiaoguang, director of Department of Economics, ECUST School of Business, to the meeting. Prof. Wu Baijun, in his speech at the meeting, said that ECUST was very willing to carry out diversified cooperation and exchanges with ASEAN business schools. He also said that the cooperation might start from educational programs including undergraduate programs, postgraduate programs, MBA programs, EMBA programs, etc. On this basis, Prof. Wu encourages more collaboration in scientific research between the two sides.