Premier Li Keqiang extended his congratulations during the opening ceremony of the 2020 China-ASEAN Digital Economic Cooperation in a letter on June 12.

Premier Li noted in the letter China and the ASEAN countries are close neighbors and significant strategic partners. The thriving digital economy is remodeling the global economy and society.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital economy is playing an exceedingly significant part in recovering economic and social development for all nations, creating more positions and enhancing people's livelihood.

The Premier said he hopes China and ASEAN member nations will take advantage of the new round of scientific and industrial revolution, bring their complementary advantages into full play, focus on cooperation and win-win strategies and work to build cooperation in smart cities, artificial intelligence, big data, and similar areas to usher in powerful new engines of economic and social development.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc, prime minister of Vietnam and current rotating president of ASEAN, also sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony.