On 19 June 2023, the 18th China-ASEAN Cultural Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The theme of the 18th China-ASEAN Cultural Forum is “Building Smart Libraries and Promotion on Reading”. H.E. Rao Quan, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China and H.E. Wissanu Krea-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand delivered video speeches. H.E. Miao Qingwang, Vice Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, H.E. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Lao PDR, H.E. U Ko Ko, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar, H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) attended the forum and delivered speeches.

Vice Minister Rao Quan stated in his remarks that China and ASEAN Member States (AMS), linked by mountains and rivers, are always good neighbours and good friends that have frequent and close culture exchanges. With the continuous efforts of China and AMS, the China-ASEAN Cultural Forum has an ever-evolving development and becomes an important platform for promoting deeper cultural exchanges of both sides. China is ready to join hands with ASEAN to implement the “Cultural Silk Road” program, to promote cultural prosperity and common development, and to continue advancing the construction of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, as well as contributing to the progress of human civilization.

Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket and Union Minister U Ko Ko noted in their speeches that Lao PDR and Myanmar are facing great challenges in technology and human resources for building modernized smart libraries. It is hoped that China would strengthen cooperation with libraries in AMS, especially in terms of sharing the experience of digital libraries transformation so that the rich cultural heritage of AMS and China will be inherited more efficiently.

Secretary General Shi pointed out that with the steady development of ASEAN-China relations and the economic and social development of AMS and China, the cooperation and interaction between the two sides in cultural exchanges, cultural relics protection and creative industries have been significantly strengthened. Through the series of activities of this forum, AMS and China can strengthen the policy exchange and experience sharing from both sides, conduct in-depth researches on the integration of digital intelligence technology and library management, promote the practice of reading in societies more efficiently, deepen the cooperation and exchange further in tune with the trend and development of the digital era, so that the people of both sides can understand each other better, deeper and go closer together for cooperation and communication. The ACC, playing the role of a linking bridge, is ready to join hands with all parties from both sides to make greater contributions to strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges between ASEAN and China.

During the forum, guests from AMS, China and relevant international institutions shared their in-depth views centering on two topics: “Building Smart Libraries and Promotion on Reading” and “Deepening and Expanding China-ASEAN International Libraries and Books Publishing Cooperation”.