Hong Kong hosts forum to promote cultural cooperation in Asia

HONG KONG, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cultural ministers and senior officials of 10 Asian countries gathered on Tuesday at a cultural cooperation forum hosted by the government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to exchange views on the furtherance of cultural cooperation in Asia.

As the highlight of the 10th Asia Cultural Cooperation Forum (ACCF), a ministerial panel session was held Tuesday morning under the them of "Cultural Sustainability in a Dynamic World: Connecting Diversity."

Chinese Minister of Culture Luo Shugang addressed the panel discussion session while cultural ministers and senior officials from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Japan, Republic of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic also spoke on the theme.

Senior cultural representatives from the Chinese Mainland provinces and Macao SAR also attended the session.

The ACCF was first launched in 2003 by the Hong Kong SAR government's Home Affairs Bureau with an aim to foster regional cultural cooperation, share good practices and promote culture and arts.

Secretary for Home Affairs of the Hong Kong SAR government Lau Kong-wah said in his opening speech at the panel session that since its inception in 2003 the ACCF has become a premier platform in Asia that brings together cultural ministers to share insights and experience in furthering arts and cultural development.

"We are living in a more globalized, urbanized and technologically advanced world. With shrinking physical and virtual distance between countries, cultural exchanges are made easier and faster. We see them as driving forces for positive changes," Lau said.

The two-day forum also includes plenary sessions relating to youth and cultural development, as well as information technology and cultural development. Enditem