Asian cultural development relies on 'diversity, exchange'

The Asian cultural development relies on more diversity and in-depth exchange among all the nations to foster mutual understanding and respect and to achieve mutual enrichment and prosperity, China's Culture Minister Cai Wu said on Thursday.

Addressing the "Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum (ACCF) 2013" held by the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, Cai said Asian countries have enjoyed faster economic growth in the world since the latter half of the last century, with increasing social awareness of and investment into their cultural sectors.

Cai said fast advancement of economy, science and technology in modern times has given room to the mushrooming of new ideas and inventions, which provided new materials and inspirations for literature, creating new opportunities for the growth of Asian culture.

Along with opportunities, the Asian culture is also facing new challenges, Cai said, citing that as the difference between economies widens, culture is taking different courses in different nations, and the diversity will very much likely remain for a long time or even become greater.

In addition, there is also increasing integration as well as competition between different countries in terms of culture, and the speed, scope and degree of mutual influence is unprecedented, he said.

Cai noted the standoff and conflict are not right choices for mankind to cope with new opportunities and challenges, "Our strategy should conform to the trend of time and the overall development of Asia, adhere to the promotion of cultural diversity and civilization dialogue."

Besides, Cai said the countries should endeavor to conduct in- depth an candid communication of the souls other than mere ceremonial greetings to each other, and he expects more high-level platforms for cultural and intellectual interflow and more literary works of every country to be translated to readers from the whole continent.

On the forum under the theme "Literature and Cultural Vibrancy, " Secretary for Home Affairs of HKSAR Tsang Tak-sing, and senior government officials from the cultural department in Brunei, Cambodia, South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam also shared their views.

This year is the eighth session of ACCF, which was launched in 2003. Participants will also visit Jao Tsung-I Academy, Bruce Lee Exhibition and Chinese Traditional Woodblock Prints Exhibition in Hong Kong during the one-day activity.