The 14th China-ASEAN Cultural Forum is held at the Guangxi Museum of Nationalities on Sept 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 14th China-ASEAN Cultural Forum was held at the Guangxi Museum of Nationalities on Sept 20, focusing on the integrated development of culture and tourism under the Belt and Road Initiative.

As an important activity under the framework of the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), the forum has played a positive role in promoting East Asian regional cultural and tourism cooperation, as well as the development of China-ASEAN cultural and tourism relations.

Attendees of the forum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The forum brought together Zhang Xu, vice minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, Fan Xiaoli, director of the Publicity Department of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Poramase Ngampiches, director of the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, Datuk Isham Ishak, secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, Chen Dehai, secretary general of the ASEAN-China Centre, as well as a number of government officials, university leaders, and notable figures in literary and artistic scenes.

Attendees listen attentively at the forum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The forum has deepened exchanges between China and ASEAN countries in various fields, such as cultural industries, artistic creation, cultural heritages, public culture, cultural talents, festival activities, and art education, building a broad display for the beauty of culture, as well as improving understand and cooperation among participants.

Gan Lin, director of the Guangxi Culture and Tourism Department, said at the forum that the culture and tourism integration of Guangxi has rich resources advantages and a sound mechanism to ensure success. As an important gateway of the Belt and Road, the region will continue to expand the Southeast Asia market with cultural tourism.

Poramase Ngampiches, director of the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, speaks at the 14th China-ASEAN Cultural Forum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]