On 8 December 2020, the China-ASEAN Forum on Digital Culture and Tourism Collaboration was held in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Mr. Zhang Xu, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Madam Chen Lihua, Chairwoman of the CPPCC Guilin Municipal Committee and representatives from tourism sector, enterprises, think tanks and media attended the forum.

 

In his remarks, Vice Minister Zhang Xu stated that digital economy stood for a new direction for sustainable development and spoke highly of the forum being organised at the right time. He hoped that all the participants could share their valuable insights on integrating culture and tourism industry with digital technology and jointly revitalize its recovery and growth under the new normal conditions. 

Secretary-General Chen Dehai addressed the Forum and said that ASEAN and China enjoyed growing connectivity, deepening economic integration, robust business ties, and closer people-to-people exchanges over the past 30 years. Over the past decade, trade has more than doubled between the two sides, making them each other's largest trading partner. This year marks the ASEAN-China Year of Digital Economy Cooperation, and both sides have supported and cooperated with each other in various fields of digital economy including 5G, AI, smart cities, e-commerce and big data. ACC will continue to join hands with its partners for pushing forward ASEAN-China cooperation in the field of digital economy, especially in the culture and tourism industry. 

On the same day, the 15th China-ASEAN Expo Tourism Exhibition (CAEXPOTE) was inaugurated in Guilin. Vice Minister Zhang Xu, Mr. Zhao Leqin, Secretary of the CPC Guilin Municipal Committee, Mr. Li Bin, Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr. U Myo Thant Pe, Myanmar’s Ambassador to China, Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Thai Ambassador to China, Mr. Pham Sao Mai, Ambassador of Viet Nam to China, and Secretary-General Chen Dehai were present at the inauguration ceremony and exhibition tour. Madam Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Minister of Tourism of the Philippines, Guest Country of Honor of CAEXPOTE 2020, sent a congratulatory message via video. All the ten Member States of ASEAN set up pavilions in the exhibition. ACC set up a pavilion to help promote ASEAN tourism and conducted interactive activities at the International Hall during the 3 days exhibition from 8-10 December.