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On 16 June 2018, the ASEAN-China Exhibition on Children’s Book, jointly sponsored by ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), was successfully held in Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Centre for Young People. Mr. Hang Yuanxiang, Executive Vice Chairman of CSCLF, H.E. Mr. Loh Ka Leung, Ambassador of Singapore, Ms. Kong Roatlomang, Director of Education, Culture and Tourism Division of ACC and the representative of ACC’s Secretary-General, and representatives of ASEAN diplomats in China, children publishing companies of both ASEAN and China, and children from ASEAN and China, in total of around 100 people attended the opening ceremony.

Ms. Kong Roatlomang read the remarks of Secretary-General Yang Xiuping. In the remarks, Secretary-General Yang said that 2018 is the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China strategic partnership and the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation. The two sides are deepening practical cooperation in various fields and forging a closer community with a shared future. Friendship among children is instrumental to the long-term development of ASEAN-China relations. Thus, it is important for both sides to work together to deepen friendship between the younger generation. ACC has been committed to supporting and carrying out a series of rich and colourful children exchange activities since its inception. She hoped that this event could bring rich and diverse cultural flavours to children’s reading experiences of both ASEAN and China, enhance mutual understanding and friendship and strengthen literature and publishing cooperation and exchanges between the two sides.

Executive Vice Chairman Hang Yanxiang said that since its establishment in 1982, CSCLF has been working actively to expand exchanges between Chinese and international youth and serve their growth and development. Chinese President Xi Jinping encourages children to gain imagination and creativity from reading and learning. This exhibition will open the door and provide great opportunities for Chinese children to learn multi-cultures of both ASEAN and China. CSCLF is willing to work with ASEAN countries to support cultural, educational, scientific and technological causes of children and contribute to the development of the younger generation.

Ambassador Loh Ka Leung appreciated both ACC and CSCLF for co-organizing this book exhibition. He said that Singapore is a multi-cultural nation and consists of different ethnic history and living customs which will encourage the curiosity and creativity of the country’s children. Children are the future of our countries and the hope of our nations. Enhancing mutual understanding among children is of great significance to promote peace and stability among countries. He hoped that this book exhibition could provide young people with opportunities to read good books from different countries and expand their way of feeling and recognizing the world.

During the opening ceremony, children from Soong Ching Ling Peace Angle Art Group played wonderful performances for the guests. The guests also visited the book exhibition and experienced the Creative Theme Space of the Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Centre. The book exhibition will last until 20 June and displays nearly 1,000 copies of children’s books from Brunei, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and China Daylight Publishing House, China Peace Publishing House, Children’s Fun Publishing Co., Ltd. and China Children’s Press and Publication Group.