From 26 to 29 December 2016, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) participated in the ASEAN-China Joint Cultural Performance in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MCFA) of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Around 250 delegates, representing young artists from ASEAN Member States and China and officials from ASEAN Secretariat and ACC participated in this event. Under the theme on “Connectivity in Diversity”, this event was aimed at promoting greater awareness of ASEAN-China cooperation, allowing participants to better understand each other’s traditional culture and embrace one another’s cultural diversity as well as further enhancing people-to-people connectivity between ASEAN and China.

At the Opening Ceremony, H.E. Mr. Hab Touch, Director-General of Techniques for Culture of MCFA, said, this event would provide an exchange platform for young artists from both ASEAN and China. Under the guidance of the Plan of Action on ASEAN-China Cooperation in Culture (2014-2018), the two sides could further deepen cultural exchange and cooperation and making more contributions to regional development. Mr. Wang Guoping, Counselor of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said, over the past 25 years, ASEAN-China mutual understanding and cooperation had made great development. In line with the Belt and Road Initiative, China would like to join hands with ASEAN Member States to enhance overall cooperation. H.E. Dr. Soeung Rathchavy, Secretary of State of MFAIC, officially opened the event. She expressed her appreciation to all supporting organizations including ACC. She emphasized the role of youth in bringing ASEAN-China ties forward, and hoped that this event could contribute to boosting bilateral collaboration between young artists in cultural cooperation.

Ms. Kong Roatlomang, Director of Education, Culture and Tourism Division of ACC, made a presentation on ACC’s work and its active and fruitful contributions to promoting ASEAN-China cultural cooperation. She highlighted that the year 2017 will mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and has been designated as the ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation. Thus, ACC will take this opportunity to further enhance functional cooperation between ASEAN and China in culture and tourism.

On the evening of 28 December, H.E Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, delivered keynote remarks. He said that culture, arts, and tourism help shape shared identity, enrich culture heritage, promote social dialogues and people-to-people exchanges, which in turn will inspire people to follow their dreams , and ultimately to enhance good neighbourliness and close partnership between ASEAN and China. Young artists from ASEAN and China also presented a joint cultural performance at the famous Bayon Temple, showcasing a colourful and diverse culture feast for the audiences. The performances provided a great opportunity to promote cultural awareness, preservation and appreciation, as well as cultural exchange between ASEAN Member States and China.