2024 ASEAN-Oriented Cultural Exchange and Cooperation Forum is held in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Sunday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A joint initiative for cultural and tourism development between China and ASEAN countries was launched on Sunday at the 2024 ASEAN-Oriented Cultural Exchange and Cooperation Forum held in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The year marks the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges. 150 guests from the cultural and tourism sectors of China and ASEAN countries engaged in comprehensive discussions on the theme of "In-depth Cultural Experience and Cross-border Tourism Cooperation" of the forum.

The China-ASEAN Joint Initiative for Cultural and Tourism Development released at the forum called for the two sides to deepen cultural and tourism exchanges and collaboration so as to promote cultural integration, enhance mutual understanding among people, and foster exchanges between civilizations.

The initiative also proposed the both sides to create regionally distinctive cross-border cultural tourism brands by developing cross-border tourism routes and conducting joint marketing and promotions.

The forum, formerly known as the "China-ASEAN Cultural Forum," has been successfully held in Guangxi for 18 sessions and serves as a high-level exchange platform for China and ASEAN in the cultural and people-to-people fields.

Since the beginning of this year, Guangxi cultural and tourism delegations have visited ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to carry out cultural exchanges and tourism promotion activities. Guangxi has become an important hub for Chinese tourists traveling to ASEAN and a popular destination for ASEAN tourists to experience Chinese culture.

By Zhang Li in Nanning