The 13^th ASEAN-China Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, from Wednesday to Friday.

The forum was held to discuss ways of enhancing poverty reduction partnerships to realize the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the region.

The UN in 2015 set the SDGs, an ambitious 15-year plan to address some of the most pressing issues faced by the world, including ending poverty worldwide.

Chen Zhigang, vice-minister of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development of China (LGOP), said at the opening ceremony that the Chinese government has helped 700 million people shake off poverty in the past 40 years.

China is ready to accelerate cooperation with ASEAN member states on social development and poverty eradication in the future, Chen said.

Ouk Rabun, minister of rural development of Cambodia, said the forum is "a great opportunity to share experiences, challenges and explore the best way forward through partnership and collaboration".

Kung Phoak, ASEAN deputy secretary-general, said: "We learned various modalities and approaches to village-level development. We saw how ASEAN Member States have tailor-made policies and programs towards the SDGs. This presents an opportunity to explore partnerships by connecting villages in ASEAN and China to learn from each other."

More than 200 diplomats, experts, entrepreneurs and senior officials from China, ASEAN member states and international organizations at the forum shared the best practices of China and the ASEAN Member States on rural vitalization and poverty reduction.