ACC Secretary-General Met with Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia

On 28 June 2016, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), met with H.E. Ms. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, and exchanged views on the cultural cooperation between Cambodia and China as well as ASEAN and China.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping introduced the work and achievements of ACC in promoting ASEAN-China cultural exchanges and cooperation. She said that ASEAN countries and China had a long history of interaction with each other, and enjoyed similar culture background as well. Cultural exchanges and cooperation was an important component of ASEAN-China relations, which was conducive to the understanding and friendship of the people. This year ACC would implement 19 flagship projects, 3 of which were related to culture, namely Mutual Appreciation through Cultural Exchanges and Affection Interactions, Common Development of Creative Production Capacity and Cultural Industry, and Children’s Cultural Enlightenment for Friendship and Cooperation. During the ASEAN-China Week, ACC held a series of cultural and artistic activities, which were well received by all walks of life. Cambodia had profound and rich culture and history background, and had maintained close cooperation with ACC in the fields of culture and arts. ACC would like to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia to make joint efforts to hold more splendid activities, and to make greater contributions for the further development of Cambodia-China and ASEAN-China relations.

Minister Phoeung Sakhena introduced the cultural and artistic development of Cambodia, and spoke highly of the significant role played by ACC in promoting practical cooperation in all the fields. She commented that Cambodia-China relations maintained a strong momentum of growth. The Ministries of Culture of both countries had  developed close relations, and collectively held activities like performing arts group visits, artistic and cultural tour, etc., which greatly enriched the connotation of the bilateral relationship. ACC, as an inter-governmental organization co-founded by ASEAN countries and China, had unique advantages in promoting cultural and artistic exchanges. The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia would continuously support the work of ACC with full strength, and would like to actively participate in the cultural and artistic cooperation projects held by ACC. It was hoped that ACC would provide more help and support to Cambodia in the aspects of publication of social and cultural traditions, training of artistic talents, and protection of historical and cultural heritages, etc., to facilitate further development of cultural exchanges and cooperation between Cambodia and China.