The "ArtSIA Calendar" website which disseminates the latest information on signature arts events in 11 Asian economies was launched on Monday at the ongoing Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum (ACCF) 2007 in Hong Kong.

 

Developed and maintained by the Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau, the website allows the public to access information on major arts events on Chinese Mainland, China's Hong Kong and Macao, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

Officiating at a launching ceremony on Monday at the Asian cultural ministers' meeting at ACCF, the Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said he hoped the website would strengthen the flow of cultural information among the participating Asian countries and create a clustering effect in promoting cultural tourism in the region.

 

Initiated in 2006, the website aims to encourage cultural exchange among artists and arts organizations in Asia and to showcase Asian creative talents on a wider global stage.

 

"The launch of the website today is only a start. We will continue to fine-tune it to make it even more user-friendly and appealing to [Internet] surfers," he said.

 

The ACCF was initiated by the Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau in 2003 to foster regional cultural cooperation, share good practices and promote culture the arts and creative industries.

 

This year's forum was themed Culture Coming Home, which would be lasted from July 22 to 25.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2007)