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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, today (April 19) attended the Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Plus Three (China, Japan, Korea) Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts and the Second ASEAN-China Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts Meeting in Hue, Vietnam. Mr Tsang also attended the meeting between the Chinese delegation and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Mr Pham Binh Minh.
At the Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan, Korea) Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts, Mr Tsang said, "It is my great honour to join this meeting for the second time as a member of the Chinese delegation representing Hong Kong, and to share with you our vision on culture and what Hong Kong has done to promote cultural exchange."
Mr Tsang noted that Hong Kong attaches importance to cultural exchange with overseas countries, particularly ASEAN members. The Home Affairs Bureau has been organising the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum (ACCF) in Hong Kong since 2003. The Forum provides a platform for the cultural ministers in the region to exchange ideas and experience in respect of policy and measures for supporting the development of the arts and culture.
The 8th ACCF, with the theme of "Literature and Cultural Vibrancy", was successfully held in November last year with the participation of cultural ministers and senior officials from 10 Asian countries, eight of which are ASEAN members. As part of the Forum, an expert workshop entitled "Libraries and the Preservation and Promotion of Culture" was also held.
Moreover, Hong Kong organises an outdoor carnival, Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances, each year. The carnival, supported by the consulates-general of various ASEAN countries, showcases traditional music and dance performances by parties from different Asian countries and regions.
Among the 10 ASEAN members, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Cultural Co-operation with Hong Kong. Looking ahead, Mr Tsang said he hopes to sign more such MoUs, in particular with countries from the Asian region, in promoting exchange and co-operation in the field of culture and the arts between the signatories.
Mr Tsang will attend ASEAN Plus Three cultural programme this evening and will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (April 20).
Ends/Saturday, April 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:59
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