The 17th China-ASEAN Cultural Forum, a sideline forum of the China-ASEAN Expo, commenced online and on-site at Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on June 2, gathering around 250 guests from home and abroad.

The forum was jointly held by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, focusing on turning static cultural relics in museums into vivid displays and boosting the cultural creative industry's development.

Gan Lin, director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said that the forum was aimed at facilitating communications, as well as promoting experiences that museums in China and ASEAN countries have accumulated in museum management and cultural creative industry development, boosting the mutual prosperity of the cultural creative industry in China and ASEAN.

"Cultural exchanges between China and ASEAN haven't broken off despite the global COVID-19 pandemic outbreak," said Zhang Xu, vice minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. "We'd like to join hands with ASEAN countries to deepen communication and cooperation in sectors spanning museum management, exhibitions, and cultural relic protection."

Sun Daguang, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee, noted that Guangxi shares a border with ASEAN countries and is willing to cooperate with ASEAN countries in areas like cultural relic research, academic communications, exhibitions, as well as the application of World Cultural Heritage titles.

Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Wissnnu Krea-ngam said in his video speech that more cooperation between Thailand and China in reforms and innovations in big data, artificial intelligence, as well as remote sensing technology should be carried out.

Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoenurng Sackona spoke highly of China's experiences in the sustainable development of cultural heritages and is using digital measures to showcase its colorful culture.

Cai Jinjun, Party secretary of Beihai, noted that the city is looking forward to making full use of the forum to deepen economic and commerce exchanges with ASEAN countries.

Other activities were held, such as keynote lectures, theme dialogues, and the launch ceremonies for the 14th China-ASEAN Art and Education Achievement Exhibition, as well as Guangxi Cultural Tourism Block Chain and Chengyang Bazhai digital artworks.