ACC Representatives Attended the Launching Ceremony of the Network of ASEAN Plus Three Culture Cities (2019-10-27)

From 24 to 27 October 2019, the Launching Ceremony of the Network of ASEAN Plus Three Culture Cities and related activities was held in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Mr. Li Jinzao, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, Mr. Gong Liang, Deputy Director-General of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Xia Xinmin, Mayor of Yangzhou, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, competent authorities, culture cities, embassies from ASEAN Plus Three countries, as well as officials of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, around 200 participants were present at the Launching Ceremony on 25 October.Ms. Zhou Hui, Deputy Director of Education, Culture and Tourism Division of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was invited to attend the Launching Ceremony and other related activities.

Various activities such as Mayors’ Forum on the Network of ASEAN Plus Three Culture Cities, Yangzhou Cultural and Tourism Promotion Activities, Yangzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Display were also held during the event. Participants conducted extensive and in-depth exchanges on strengthening cultural exchanges and cooperation, enhancing sustainable development of regional practical cooperation, promoting exchanges and mutual learning among East Asian civilizations. “The Yangzhou Initiative on Building the Network of ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Culture Cities” was released during the Mayors’ Forum.

China, Japan and the ROK launched the programme of “Culture Cities of East Asia” in 2013. Over the years, 21 cities were designated as Culture Cities of East Asia. ASEAN designates the hosting city of the biennial Meeting of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) as the ASEAN City of Culture. At the 21st 10+3 Summit in November 2018, it was proposed to establish the “10+3 Culture City Network” based on the Culture Cities of East Asia and ASEAN Cities of Culture.

During their stay in Yangzhou, ACC representatives also visited Yangzhou Vocational University and the World Historic Cultural Canal Cities Cooperation Organization.