2024 RT Amination Banner.gif

China Daily

//www.chinadailyhk.com/public_resource/public/css/style.css {"dm":"https://www.chinadailyhk.com","httpDomain":"https://www.chinadailyhk.com","hr":"/","httpRoot":"/","smr":"/cndy_asia/WEB/","subMediaRoot":"/cndy_asia/WEB/","trr":"/public_resource/templates/","templatesResRoot":"/public_resource/templates/","srr":"/public_resource/subjects/","subjectsResRoot":"/public_resource/subjects/","pr":"//www.chinadailyhk.com/public_resource/public","publicRoot":"//www.chinadailyhk.com/public_resource/public","subMediaLocalPath":"/data/files/mcpp/publish/cndy_asia/WEB/","other":{"baidu_map_apikey":"T0IxOVsyHiwtTfZRxdyzNH5C","txyun_apikey":"1252065688"}}
News> Nation> Content
Thursday, September 20, 2018, 17:31
Cultural exchanges speed up in digital era
By Zhang Li, Shi Ruipeng and Wen Zongduo in Nanning
Thursday, September 20, 2018, 17:31 By Zhang Li, Shi Ruipeng and Wen Zongduo in Nanning

In this photo, a speaker gives a speech at the China-ASEAN University (Country and Regional Studies) Think Tank Alliance Forum held at Guangxi University, in Nanning, South China, from Sept 11 to 12, 2018. (WEN ZONGDUO / CHINA DAILY)

NANNING - People-to-people exchanges are to speed up their flow among China and ASEAN members as officials, professionals and industrialists encourage deepening of cooperation, according to forum participants in south China's Nanning city.

Enhancing cultural exchanges and cooperation is one of sixth proposals made by Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng at the opening ceremony of the China-ASEAN Expo on Sept 12. He listed people-to-people exchanges as one of three pillars to support efforts for a closer community with a shared future, together with political security, economy and trade.

“China is willing to deepen practical cooperation with ASEAN members in culture, education, health, tourism, youth, media, sports and other fields based on mutual respect of cultural diversity and social values,” Xinhua quoted Han as saying. And it will join the nations in fostering a “spirit of China-ASEAN cooperation characterized by mutual trust, mutual accommodation, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance”.

ALSO READ: 'China-ASEAN partnership an anchor of regional stability'

As a major part of cultural exchanges, high-end think tanks are playing an increasingly important role in the development of all members and meeting with common needs of both China and ASEAN

Chen Dehai, Secretary-General, ASEAN-CHINA Centre

Experts at the China-ASEAN University (Country and Regional Studies) Think Tank Alliance Forum, which was held at Guangxi University, explored ways to promote exchanges between the peoples on Sept 11 and 12.

Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre, noted progress in building regional platforms on education, scientific research. He told the forum that ACC, as a bridge between China and ASEAN, will expand such networks for better exchanges of educational institutions.  

As a major part of cultural exchanges, high-end think tanks are playing an increasingly important role in the development of all members and meeting with common needs of both China and ASEAN, he said.

Wang Liyong, deputy director general of the China Center for Contemporary World Studies, said nations should treasure the cooperative momentum and opportunities for building a closer community.  

Apart from providing services to support smart technological projects and trade, the center will be active in training more youths to become friendship messengers among the local folks, he said.

Du Kewei, a senior official with the Ministry of Education, showed his appreciation for cultivating more friendship messengers. About 1,000 researchers are working in dedicated centers for China-ASEAN cooperation in about 200 universities across the region.

People-to-people exchanges are linking people’s heart, he said. “With deep traditional links and common aspirations for shared future, such exchanges will fructify in the well-being of the peoples,” he said. 

Choltis Dhirathiti, executive director of ASEAN University Network, said they are building a sub-alliance of intellectual property rights apart from exploiting digital technologies besides other activities in helping faculties and students cope with the new era. “We hope to strengthen our regional cooperation and coordination,” he told the forum. 

Guests exchange presents at the China-ASEAN Information Harbor Network-Based Cultural Development Forum held in Nanning, South China, on Sept 13, 2018. (DENG MING / CHINA DAILY)

CYBER CULTURE UNDER SPOTLIGHT

Cyber culture drew attention in Nanning at varied forums between Sept 11 and Sept 19. Fan Weiping, deputy director of the State Administration of Radio and Television, earlier said that the region will embrace better development opportunities and broader space for cooperation. 

At the China-ASEAN Information Harbor Network-Based Cultural Development Forum in Nanning on Sept 13, Fan put forward three proposals: to jointly promote the prosperity and development of cyber culture, to promote the construction of international governance system of cyber audiovisual, and to conduct cooperation in internet information technology and industry. 

In recent years, the State Administration of Radio and Television has attached great importance to the development of cyber audiovisual culture and industry, strengthening the construction of information infrastructure, supporting the creation products of cyber audiovisual content, and standardizing the order of cyber audiovisual communication.

As close neighbors and well-linked partners, China and ASEAN has the unique advantage to carry out the exchange and cooperation of cyber culture, said some speakers who also analyzed development trends and explored paths for further cooperation

Savankhone Razmountry, vice-minister of Press, Culture and Tourism Ministry of Laos, said today’s young people, who have unfettered access to information through smartphones, have become the majority of users in this technological innovation era. “In the next few years, one of Laos' core strategic goals will be to popularize its culture, tourism and media communication through Internet,” he said at the forum.

The forum, where 15 Chinese and foreign guests delivered speeches, explored the paths and methods of exchanges and cooperation of China-ASEAN cyber culture around key areas, such as internet animation, internet games, internet audio-visual and internet literature.

READ MORE: China, ASEAN to share green data

The speakers included Chen Qirong, director of internet literature committee of Chinese Writers Association; Huang Yu, director of the Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Geng Danhao, senior vice-president of IQIYI; Tong Zhilei, chairman & CEO of ChineseAll, and Yue Guan, a well-known cyberspace writer. Zhang Xunhong, director of the cyberspace work bureau of Cyberspace Administration of China, and Wu Xiaoli, deputy director of the Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, hosted the discussions.

As close neighbors and well-linked partners, China and ASEAN has the unique advantage to carry out the exchange and cooperation of cyber culture, said some speakers who also analyzed development trends and explored paths for further cooperation.

Organized by the Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Office of Cyberspace Administration of Guangxi, and CRI Online etc., the forum was the first high-end cyber culture forum held in Nanning.

SOCIAL AND CULTURE COMMUNITY

As the region innovates new channels for political and economic cooperation to sustain development amid global uncertainties, more people-to-people comings and goings will facilitate mutual understanding and trust among the peoples, said Chen Lisheng, president of Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences.

The Silk Road itself has been a road for exchanges of different cultures and civilizations for centuries, he noted at the 11th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum on Sept 18. 

“A social and cultural community is one of the three major pillars for ASEAN and China, he told the forum in the capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. By building such a community the region will eventually realize people-based strategic design and lead to their happiness.

Increasing communication to make up for the lack of trust on certain issues and other challenges facing the region was also noted by guest speakers from the region at the 11th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum. 

Experts discuss challenges facing the region, at the 11th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum held in Nanning, South China, on Sept 18, 2018. (WEN ZONGDUO / CHINA DAILY)

The speakers included, among dozens, Pham Van Duc, vice-president of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Sum Chhum Bun, vice-president of Royal Academy of Cambodia, BA Hamzah, Director for International Security Research Centre of National Defence University of Malaysia; Kyee Myint, member of Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies; Somchith Souksavath, assistant to the President of Lao Academic of Social Sciences; Professor Choong Chee Keong of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Senior Lecturer Ho Kee Chye of University of Malaya, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, director general of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Khin Maung Nyo, advisor at Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies; and Chhoeun Bunchha, deputy secretary general of Cambodia-China-Asia Pacific Friendship Association for Cooperation and Development.

Prof Tang Zhimin, dean of International College of Panyapiwat Institute of Management from Thailand, noticed the varied translations of the major theme of BRI could cause misunderstandings. “A clear layout of the principles of gongshang, gongjian, gongxiang (in Chinese pinyin) is the key for mutual understanding of BRI partners,” he said.

At the forum, he said he would rather clarify the principles by putting them as “plan together, build together and benefit together.” Planning together engages active participation of BRI partners to initiate BRI projects based on their local development needs and strategies; Building together requires partners to pool resources together with technology transfer, utilize local materials with more value added and build up capacity for future growth; Benefiting together insides people to share benefits based on transparent and fair rules of market mechanism, as is in inclusive development for environment-friendly local communities.

Zhao Litao, senior research fellow of East Asian Institute (EAI), National University of Singapore, said to deepen understanding of what makes a people-centered community, think tanks can play a larger role to bridge different countries and cultures by forming transnational networks and collaborating in information gathering.

Media groups join in the signing of agreements during the Launch of the Cultural Document Dan's Way and China-ASEAN Cultural Exchange "A Heart-Touching Tour Beyond Borders" held in Nanning, South China, on Sept 12, 2018. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

This year, Nanning has held a series of cultural events during the September CAEXPO season to mark the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. It also hosted offline cultural shows for arts and crafts, designs of youths, folk dances and folk songs as well as tourism promotions before and during 15th China-ASEAN Expo.Wan Maisarah Binti Md. Isa, Principal Assistant Secretary of International Division with the Ministry of Human Resources of Malaysia, noted that the migration of skilled workers between China and ASEAN is a good initiative to achieve sustainable development. She said the two regions can provide on-job training for them and create platforms to improve understanding of each social culture.

The highlights included the China-ASEAN International Design Forum on Sept 14, the 12th China-ASEAN Youth Artistic Works Contest & Exhibition on Award-winning Works on Sept 13, Cities of Charm event on Sept 12-13, China-ASEAN Cultural Exchange and China-ASEAN Red Cross Humanity Forum on Sept 12, and the 13th China-ASEAN Cultural Forum on Sept 11-12.

Delegates to the cultural forum comprised of Yu Qun, a senior official with the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, vice-governor of Guangxi Li Bin and senior officials from Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries. The forum encouraged the development of innovative cultural sectors.

Apart from discussion, participants also experienced craft making and VR shows, red-copper drum and theatrical performances.  

READ MORE: Hun Sen, Chinese CEOs discuss investment in Nanning forum

Share this story

CHINA DAILY
HONG KONG NEWS
OPEN
Please click in the upper right corner to open it in your browser !