On 25-28 September 2023, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) organized diplomats from ASEAN Member States (AMS) Embassies in China to attend the 2023 Sichuan International Cultural Tourism Festival. The festival was co-sponsored by Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Yibin Municipal Government. Counselor Mr. Le Trung Kien of the Embassy of Viet Nam in China, Second Secretary Mr. Zaw Lin Ko of the Embassy of Myanmar in China, Cultural Attaché Ms. Shaomei Z. Ong of the Embassy of the Philippines in China and Deputy Director Li Yaying of Education, Culture and Tourism Division of the ACC attended the festival and related events, together with over 50 representatives and guests from international organizations and oversea enterprises.

On 27 September, the Opening Ceremony of the Festival themed “Cozy Night in Sichuan - Promotion of World Top Tourism Destination” was launched in Yangtze River Park in Yibin, the first city along the Yangtze River. During their stay in Sichuan, the ACC teams and the AMS diplomats explored such unique cultural and tourism resources of Sichuan as Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, ancient town Lizhuang, bamboo sea in Shu’nan as well as the Sichuan opera, and had in-depth discussions with local governments and relevant parties on the prospects and opportunities for cultural cooperation between AMS and Sichuan Province in future.