The three-day Asia Cultural Cooperation Forum (ACCF wrapped up here Wednesday afternoon, with participants agreeing that enhanced cultural exchanges and cooperation among Asian countries and regions would bring about social harmony and economic development.

More than 60 cultural ministers and other senior government officials from Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam joined renowned personalities in the cultural and creative fields at the ACCF.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng said Asian countries and regions had a glorious history of cultural cooperation and they should further enhance exchange and cooperation in this regard.

Enhanced exchange and cooperation would lead to more stability in Asia and contribute to the development of culture internationally, he noted.

The event, with the theme of "Creative Asia", is the second cultural cooperation forum organized by the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

Patrick Ho, Hong Kong's secretary for home affair, echoed Sun'sopinion, saying in response to the challenges brought about by rapid globalization and the advent of the knowledge economy, Asia must form a cultural alliance based on common heritage and good will for regional harmony and prosperity.

"Only in this way could Asia present itself strongly to the rest of the world," the secretary said, adding "the oriental values we all believe in and the image we present ourselves internationally are the essence of our soft power."

Pramote Chokesiriukulchai, president of the Thai Entertainment Industry Association, highlighted the development of the Asian animation industry. According to him, cooperation between governments and private sectors of each country could help create both entertainment business and cultural industry.

He proposed the establishment of the Asian Animation Association, which is a regional co-production that encourages the exchange of cultural and historical influences between Asian countries.

He expressed the belief that the association would expand business opportunities and explore the possibility of cultural cooperation among member countries.

Ben Evans, director of the London Design Festival, noted that the exchange of ideas is at the heart of creativity, while the 21st century is the century for creativity.

"It is the core life skill for us all. We will learn it from dialogue and shared experiences, not isolation," he added.
 
(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2004)