ASEAN diplomats look with keen interest on handicrafts from Southeast Asian countries and China during ASEAN-China Day Fair held at the Beijing Yuetan Yaji Intangible Cultural Heritage Center.

BEIJING -- China’s intangible cultural heritage performances as well as handicrafts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries took center stage in the ASEAN-China Day Fair held last Thursday to commemorate the 50th ASEAN anniversary.

Yang Xiuping, ASEAN-China Center (ACC) Secretary-General said the ASEAN-China Day Fair was one of the series of activities lined-up for this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN.

"We are hosting this event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and to promote ASEAN-China people-to-people and cultural exchanges,' Yang said in her remarks during the ASEAN-China Day Fair program held in Beijing.

The ASEAN diplomats and local officials have been entertained by Chinese kungfu demonstration, kunqu opera, traditional music, calligraphy and magic show.

After the program, the audience have been invited to visit the exhibition booths showcasing ASEAN handicrafts and photos of the ASEAN historical and tourism sites.

Yang thanked Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People’s Government of Beijing Xicheng District “for their active contribution as co-sponsors of this event.”

She said ASEAN has become an important part of force for regional and global peace and development since its establishment in 1967.

With the Philippines as chairman of the ASEAN this year, Yang said the ASEAN is actively implementing Vision 2025 with a view of elevating and deepening ASEAN Community building.

”This year, against the backdrop of the 50th anniversary, ASEAN has organized a series of activities and launched “Visit ASEAN@50 Golden Celebration” campaign to showcase the beautiful landscape and rich culture and tradition of ASEAN,” Yang said, adding that people-to-people and cultural exchanges have become a new bright spot in ASEAN-China relations, resulting to 200,000 exchange of students and 32 million visits in 2016.

"These exchanges and cooperation have given a strong boost to mutual understanding and friendship between ASEAN and Chinese people, and played an important role in promoting economic and social development," Yang said.

She acknowledged the supports extended by all ASEAN countries in the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held last May.

"All 10 ASEAN countries took an active part in it to contribute thoughts and wisdom," Yang said.

Aside from Day Fair, the ACC also held "New Beginning New Opportunity" International Symposium, ASEAN-China Quality and Sustainable Tourism Development Conference, ASEAN Tourism Photo Exhibition and mutual visits by Chinese and ASEAN media this year.

Yang said the ACC will also organize ASEAN-China Tourism Festival, ASEAN-China Eco-Tourism Development Seminar, “Soong Ching Ling Cup” ASEAN-China Youth Football Friendly Matches, ASEAN-China Youth Forum on Cultural Heritage Preservation, ASEAN-China Film Festival and other activities to boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and ASEAN.

ASEAN member countries include the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia and Brunei.

Indonesia ambassador to China Soegeng Rahardjo has expressed sincerest appreciation to ACC for organizing the ASEAN-China Day Fair that would further boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

"I hope the cooperation between ASEAN and ACC would grow further for positive and better understanding of our respective cultures and traditions," he said.

Jelly F. Musico of the Philippine News Agency