On 11 March 2016, the theme website named the Window for ASEAN-China Children’s Cultural Exchanges (WACCCE), jointly built and shared by ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), Chinaculture.org and Chinadaily.com.cn, was officially launched at China National Theatre for Children (CNTC). H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC, H.E. Mme. She Jing, Vice Chairperson of CSCLF, Mr. Chen Fafen, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of Ministry of Culture, Mr. Wang Hao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, Mr. Yin Xiaodong, President of CNTC, H.E. Mr. Thit Linn Ohn, Ambassador of Myanmar and his wife May San Thein, H.E. Mme. Erlinda F. Basilio, Ambassador of the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Kim Young-sun, Secretary-General of ASEAN-Korea Centre and representatives of the Embassies of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Chinese and ASEAN correspondents attended the event.
Secretary-General Yang Xiuping said that strengthening ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges and promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the people of both sides were very contributive to the deepening of pragmatic cooperation between ASEAN and China in various fields. The number of children under the age of 14 alone was more than 400 million, accounting for one fifth of the total population of both ASEAN and China. Children were the future of the countries and the hope of the nations. The cultivation of ASEAN-China friendship among the children had to be nurtured with a sense of cultural identity, and more importantly, the unremitting efforts from both sides. She expressed her gratitude for all the support of various organizations involved in the project and emphasized that ACC would continue to enhance collaborative efforts in developing the website into an important bridge to strengthen exchanges, enhance friendship, and expand cooperation between ASEAN and China.
Vice Chairwoman She Jing extended her warmest congratulations for the launching of the website. She expressed that CSCLF was devoted to carrying on and developing the unfinished cause of Mme. Soong Ching Ling, which was to enhance international friendship and to contribute to the future of the nation. CSCLF had made a lot of efforts on the promotion of international culture exchanges among the youth and children. She hoped the website could motivate and pull resources from various organizations, offer better services to children, and pave the way for long term friendly relationship between China and ASEAN. She also took this opportunity to invite young friends from all ASEAN countries to take part in the ‘Soong Ching Ling Cup’ China-ASEAN International Youth Football Friendly Matches in Beijing and Qinhuangdao.
Deputy Director-General Chen Fafen introduced the significant progress of cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN since the establishment of dialogue relations 25 years ago. He emphasized that it was of great significance for the theme website to go online and be in operation, and was confident the initiative could sow the seeds of friendship in the hearts of ASEAN-China children and consolidate friendship in future generations.
Ambassador Erlinda F. Basilio delivered remarks on behalf of ASEAN. She commended the website for its potential role in serving the children of both ASEAN and China. She further added that ASEAN and China shared long-standing friendship. Cultural exchange had been effective means in breaking down barriers and establishing communication among diverse communities. She hoped that this project could be a platform for children’s organizations to establish networks and create more meaningful cultural programmes for the younger generation, the future leaders of ASEAN and China.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief Wang Hao briefed on the close relationship between China Daily and leading media from ASEAN. He said, China Daily would take full advantage of its media channels and rich experiences and promote the website to be a new media platform for exchanges between teenagers and children from China and ASEAN countries. He also called for relevant organizations of both sides to pay more attention to, conduct collaborative activities and share this thematic website.
President Yin Xiaodong introduced the close relationship between CNTC and ASEAN Member States. He expected that WACCCE could become a new platform to strengthen the mutual understanding of children between China and ASEAN, and a bridge to promote children's cultural communication and cooperation.
After the launching ceremony, Secretary-General Yang Xiuping, Vice Chairperson She Jing, Ambassador Thit Linn Ohn and his wife May San Thein, Ambassador Erlinda F. Basilio joined the representatives of the ASEAN diplomats and children, and watched the children drama Peter Pan in CNTC.
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