China-ASEAN Cultural Forum
China-ASEAN Cultural Forum
Overview
The China-ASEAN Cultural Forum is a significant initiative aimed at fostering cultural and tourism cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Originating from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in South China, this forum is part of a broader effort to enhance cross-cultural interactions and promote tourism in the region. The forum plays a critical role in strengthening ties between China and ASEAN countries, contributing to the Belt and Road Initiative's objectives.
Background and Development
The Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has been instrumental in publicizing Chinese culture among ASEAN member states and attracting tourists to Guangxi. This region has taken proactive steps to enhance its cultural and tourism communication mechanisms with neighboring regions.
Furthermore, Guangxi has implemented a coordination and meeting mechanism at the provincial level with Vietnam, facilitating regular conferences since 2017. These conferences have focused on project construction, tourist management, ticket sales, and preferential policies for cross-border tourism cooperation areas.
Cultural Exchange and Cooperation
Since 2016, Guangxi has hosted several events at the China-ASEAN Expo, including six sessions of the China-ASEAN Cultural Forum, five sessions of the China-ASEAN Expo Tourism Exhibition, and two sessions of the CAEXPO Cultural Exhibition. These events have significantly contributed to promoting cultural and tourism communication between Guangxi and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly ASEAN members.
Regional Initiatives
The Guangxi culture and tourism department has been active in organizing activities to promote cultural exchange. These include the China Tourism and Culture Week, performances, exhibitions, lectures, and artistic training in collaboration with overseas Chinese cultural centers. The department has also encouraged cities within Guangxi, such as Nanning, to host multinational Spring Festival galas and organized performance companies to stage shows in ASEAN countries.
Moreover, the department has prioritized communication and cooperation in cultural heritage between Guangxi and ASEAN members. It has facilitated the participation of Guangxi's museums, archaeological institutes, and cultural heritage research organizations in relevant events in ASEAN countries.
Artistic and Educational Contributions
In exploring its cultural and tourism resources, Guangxi has created artworks centered on the ancient Maritime Silk Road theme. This includes symphonies, musical dramas, and historical dance dramas produced during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20). These works have been showcased in communication activities with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, including ASEAN members.
Training cultural and tourism professionals is another focus area. For example, Guilin Tourism University in Guangxi has admitted students from the four bordering provinces of Vietnam, offering scholarships from 2019 to 2021. This initiative, led by Wang Zixi, the director of the Guilin culture and tourism bureau, underscores Guangxi's commitment to fostering professional expertise in the cultural and tourism sectors.
Promotion and Publicity
Publicity and promotional efforts are prioritized by Guangxi's culture and tourism authorities. They have orchestrated local companies to hold promotional conferences in countries like Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam and participate in influential international tourism exhibitions. These companies have promoted Guangxi's sightseeing services and traveling routes, offered displays and performances of intangible cultural heritage, and engaged in forums to showcase the region's unique cultural and tourism appeal.
Additionally, the authorities have invited ASEAN travel agencies, artists, and media representatives to visit Guangxi, providing them with firsthand experiences of its tourism resources. This initiative further strengthens the cultural and tourism ties between Guangxi and ASEAN countries. Article reference1. Local culture promoted to neighbors. chinaservicesinfo.com. 2021Photo Gallery（1 picture）CategoriesCultural ExchangeTagInternational Cultural ExchangeCatalogue1. Overview2. Background and Development3. Cultural Exchange and Cooperation4. Regional Initiatives5. Artistic and Educational Contributions6. Promotion and Publicity- - - []