The 13th China-ASEAN Cultural Forum was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on 11 September 2018. With the theme of “Exchanges and Cooperation on Cultural and Creative Industries between China and ASEAN”, the forum was co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was one of its supporters. Mr. Yu Qun, member of the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, Mr. Li Bin, Vice Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr. Samraing Kamsan, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia, Mme. Dang Thi Bich Lien, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, together with officials, experts and scholars of the cultural and artistic fields from ASEAN countries and China, as well as representatives of international organizations attended the forum. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ACC addressed the forum.

Mr. Yu Qun said in his remarks that as an important activity under the framework of the China-ASEAN Expo, the China-ASEAN Cultural Forum has become an important platform for cultural dialogue and cooperation between China and ASEAN. It has played a positive role in promoting regional cultural cooperation in East Asia and the development of China-ASEAN cultural relations. He hoped the forum will display the latest achievements of cultural and creative industries in China and ASEAN countries, and set up a stage for cultural and creative enterprises from countries in the region to conduct further exchanges and cooperation.

Vice Governor Li Bin said that with the theme of “Inheritance and Innovation, Development and Win-Win”, this forum will be conducive to focusing on the exchanges and cooperation of China-ASEAN cultural and creative industries, exploring the integration, innovation and development of cultural and creative industries in multiple dimensions, and thus contributing to building an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Mr. Samraing Kamsan said ASEAN and China have multiple existing dialogue mechanisms in the field of culture and arts. This forum, featuring exchanges of practical experiences and ideas, serves as an important platform and opportunity to strengthen cooperation between cultural enterprises and creative industries of both sides.

Mme. Dang Thi Bich Lien hoped that the 13th China- ASEAN Cultural Forum will promote cooperation in the cultural industries between Vietnam and ASEAN as well as between Vietnam and China.

Secretary-General Chen Dehai stated in his remarks that strengthening ASEAN-China cultural exchanges is an important part of promoting ASEAN-China strategic partnership. Having been successfully held for 12 sessions, the China-ASEAN Cultural Forum has become an important platform for promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation, as well as enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between China and ASEAN, and has played a positive role in consolidating the strategic partnership between the two sides. He said that the development of cultural and creative industries in ASEAN and China are at different stages, yet both ASEAN and China have the willingness, demand and potential to carry out cooperation. Both sides should seize this opportunity to promote better integration and development in this field. To this end, he put forward four suggestions. First, strengthening policy exchanges in cultural and creative industries. Second, building more networks and platforms for industrial technologies and service exchanges. Third, Training more professionals for cultural and creative industry development. Fourth, holding more cultural and creative exchange activities.

During the forum, representatives from relevant government departments and enterprises from ASEAN countries and China conducted extensive and in-depth exchanges on cultural and creative industry exchanges and cooperation, contributing to a lively atmosphere. On the sideline of the forum, Secretary-General Chen Dehai visited the “Red Bronze Drum” Collection of Excellent Works of Fine Arts by China-ASEAN Students and the “Creativity Lighting up Life” Cultural and Creative Products Exhibition.