Việt Nam pushes for cultural ties at ASEAN-China Week

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Hồ An Phong speaking at the event. VNA/VNS Photo

BEIJING A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Hồ An Phong is attending the ASEAN-China Week that opened in the Chinese province of Shanxi on August 12.

The week, themed “ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Dialogue: Achieving Prosperity through Innovation”, will last till August 15.

Following the opening ceremony, delegations from ASEAN countries and China engaged in a dialogue on the same theme.

In his speech, Phong underscored the role, importance and value of mutual learning, exchange, and cooperation, particularly in culture and people-to-people exchange. He believed that these elements are instrumental in strengthening connections, understanding, and friendship among ASEAN nations and China, contributing to the sustainable development and shared prosperity of the entire region and the world.

Phong proposed a series of initiatives to bolster this vision, including regular exchange activities for young professionals in key cooperation areas such as politics-security, the economy, and socio-culture under the form of seminars, discussions, forums, and festivals.

He also stressed the importance of sharing experiences and best practices in policy-making, with a focus on youth workforce development.

Addressing the ASEAN-China exchange seminar on culture, tourism, and youth development in the afternoon of the same day, Phong held that within the framework of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership and on the basis of the joint five-year action plan between the two sides, cooperation in culture, sports and tourism, with the central role of the youth, has become an important bright spot, manifested via their exciting and diverse activities in recent times, thus contributing to further deepening friendship and fine traditions between ASEAN and China.

He proposed promoting tourism, culture, and sports at major international events, upholding ASEAN-China cooperation in global and regional mechanisms related to these fields, aiming to refine international policies and regulations.

The Deputy Minister further highlighted the role of the ASEAN-China centre in advancing tourism and showcasing the culture, countries, and people of ASEAN and China. He called for more experience-sharing activities between State management agencies, particularly in policy building, State management, and public-private partnership.

While in Shanxi, the Vietnamese delegation, along with their ASEAN and Chinese counterparts, attended the launch of the ASEAN-China Cultural Festival, the ASEAN-China Import and Export Service Platform, the centre’s mascot, and a collection of Shanxi province’s cultural innovations. They also toured prominent enterprises and cultural establishments. VNS