On 28-29 October 2022, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) co-hosted the 3rd General Assembly and the Presidents’ Round Table Meeting 2022 of the ASEAN-China Arts Colleges Alliance (ACACA) with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre specializing in Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED) and Guangxi Arts University (GXAU). The activity was organised by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) of Singapore, both online and offline. Ms. Li Yaying, Deputy Director of the Education, Culture and Tourism Division (ECTD) of ACC attended and delivered video speeches at the meeting. Mr. Hou Daohui, President of GXAU, Mrs. Tan-Soh Wai Lan, President of NAFA, as well as representatives, teachers and students from 14 art universities and colleges in ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China attended the meeting.

Li Yaying stated in her remarks that the ACACA and the Round Table Meeting have established platforms for resources sharing and experiences exchanges between academies of AMS and China. More opportunities have been created for art teachers and students to showcase their talents on international stages, and greater guidance in terms of career development have been provided for art students. ACC stands ready to join hands with all parties to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of AMS and China, continue supporting the art education cooperation of both sides, and spare no efforts to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to forge a higher level of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership.

With the theme of “Walking the Artistic Path, Towards a Shared Future”, the participants had in-depth discussions on further resources integration, closer dialogue and cooperation, scientific, creative and practical capabilities improvement, as well as the sustainable development of regional art education. During the meeting, online display of outstanding stage performances and artworks, as well as a series of academic lectures on music, dance, art and drama, among others were also held.

The ACACA was initiated in 2017 by ACC, GXAU and SEAMEO RIHED, which aims to build a platform for art education information sharing and international academic exchanges between AMS and China, contribute to the joint cultivation of high-level art talents between the two sides and the prospering of ASEAN-China regional culture and art development.