ACC Participated in the ASEAN-China International Forum on Cooperation of Cities with Cruise Industry

On 16 December 2015, the ASEAN-China International Forum on Cooperation of Cities with Cruise Industry, hosted by the People’s Government of Fujian Province, was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Ambassador of Myanmar to China H.E. Mr. Thit Linn Ohn and officials from Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China National Tourism Administration, People’s Government of Fujian Province and officials from ASEAN countries in the area of tourism, transportation and maritime, as well as representatives from other ASEAN Embassies and Consulates-General were among the participants. Mr. Tri Purnajaya, Director of Education, Culture and Tourism Division (ECTD) of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) attended the opening of the forum and addressed the Forum.

In his remarks, Mr. Tri said as an emerging industry which had developed rapidly, cruise tourism served as a key node of cruise economy that had a promising future. Strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and China cities in the area of cruise economy was beneficial for promoting people-to-people connectivity and enhancing mutual understanding, hence, contributing to jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road by reducing cultural difference and gap between the two sides. Nowadays, China and ASEAN countries were standing on the new historical height of development, and through this event, both China and ASEAN countries were expected to attach greater importance to the cruise tourism cooperation and work together to explore the maritime tourism market and further promote ASEAN-China economic and social exchange ito a new level.

All the participants of the Forum expressed their views during the workshop under the theme of “Developing CruiseEconomy to Achieve Mutual Benefit”, and exchanged ideas on how building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road could provide an excellent opportunity to further develop cruise tourism.