The Opening Ceremony of the 2nd ASEAN-China Tourism Festival Held in Guilin

On 26 October 2018, the opening ceremony of the 2nd ASEAN-China Tourism Festival was successfully held during the 2018 China-ASEAN Expo Tourism Exhibition in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Around 40 people attended the event, including representatives of the ASEAN embassies in China, tourism enterprises and media.

Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre, said in his opening remarks that tourism is one of the most economically dynamic sectors and is closely related to people’s life. It plays an increasingly important role in promoting economic transformation, improving life quality as well as enhancing ecological environment and cultural exchanges. Guilin is famous for its advantage in tourism and its role as an international tourist hub, which facilitates the entire tourism sector in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The year 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China strategic partnership and the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation, which provides a good opportunity to deepen practical cooperation between ASEAN and China. The 2nd Tourism Festival would further promote ASEAN tourism destination, strengthen regional cooperation and play a positive role in enhancing the sustainable development of tourism, promoting creative tourism products and providing high quality services. ACC will continue to play its role as a one-stop information and activities centre and join hands with all friends to make greater contributions to ASEAN-China cooperation.

Mr. Thit Linn Ohn, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar said in his remarks that business and people-to-people exchanges between Guangxi and ASEAN have witnessed steady growth on yearly basis. People of both sides not only enjoy the economic prosperity brought by mutually-beneficial cooperation, but also play more roles in promoting cooperation in culture, education, health, and people-to-people exchange. The Tourism Festival would achieve greater success in years ahead. Myanmar is ready to deepen cooperation with China and ASEAN countries to promote the growth

of tourism sector with warm hospitality and excellent services and bring benefits to people of all sides.

After the opening ceremony, the guests enjoyed the wonderful performances from Myanmar and the Philippines and Chinese tea art performance at ACC’s booth, which also attracted wide general public including foreign and domestic visitors.