On 12 September 2018, the China-ASEAN Cultural Exchange Activity- Launching Ceremony of the Cultural Documentary Dan’s Way with the theme of “A Heart-Touching Tour beyond Borders” was held in Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. As one of the cultural activities within the framework of the 15th China-ASEAN Expo, the event was co-hosted by Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, ASEAN-China Centre, Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Department of Culture of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Nanning Municipal People’s Government.

H.E. Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr. Liu Zhengdong, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee, Mr. Zhou Hongbo, Mayor of Nanning City, H.E. Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Huang Xilian, Ambassador of China to ASEAN, envoys to the Committee of Permanent Representatives of ASEAN, and more than 300 guests from government departments, relevant institutions and media from ASEAN countries and China attended the launching ceremony. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the event and delivered remarks.

Assistant Minister Chen Xiaodong pointed out in his remarks that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN. China-ASEAN relations have developed from a period of fast growth to a period of maturity. We should further expand exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, tourism, media and youth to consolidate the pillar of people-to-people exchanges in China-ASEAN relations and strengthen the foundation of popular support for practical cooperation between the two sides, thus making new contributions to building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. He said that as a documentary project focusing on China-ASEAN cultural exchanges, the documentary Dan’s Way to be launched today is a good example of promoting China-ASEAN cultural exchanges through joint efforts of different parties.

Secretary-General Chen Dehai stated in his remarks that by recording the stories and experience of ordinary people in Indonesia, the documentary reveals their love for life as well as their expectations on ASEAN-China friendly exchanges, which really touches our heart and soul. The documentary will help promote mutual understanding between the peoples of ASEAN and China, enhancing spiritual resonance, and thus playing a positive role in deepening people-to-people exchanges. ACC will continue to support the filming of Dan’s Way, and join hands with all relevant parties to explore new paths for people-to-people exchanges, with a view to making greater contributions to the building of the ASEAN-China community with a shared future.

Mayor Zhou Hongbo, Ambassador Huang Xilian and Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, highly commended Dan’s Way for promoting people-to-people exchanges and heart-to-heart connection between China and ASEAN. They all wished the filming of Dan’s Way in other ASEAN countries a success as well.

A special panel interview was held during the launching ceremony, joined by H.E. Ambassador Ade Padmo Sarwono, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN, Ms. Zhu Dan, Journalist of Dan’s Way and Mr. Su Ming, Producer of Beijing Eleven Media Co. Ltd. together with Lucida, one of the major characters of the documentary, accompanied by her son. They shared their respective journey of the heart in producing Dan’s Way and answered questions. A signing ceremony was also held for cooperation projects in culture and tourism between Nanning and relevant ASEAN countries in the presence of distinguished guests.

Dan’s Way is a cultural tourism documentary co-produced by Beijing Eleven Media Co., Ltd. and Ms. Zhu Dan as well as all relevant parties. The first season of the documentary focuses on people and their stories of Indonesia and will be officially broadcasted in late October.