Yunnan and Cambodia launch joint campaign for visiting heritage sites
Neth Pheaktra (right), minister of information of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Zeng Yan, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, officially launch the China (Yunnan)-Cambodia Cultural Series on "Visiting Yunnan and Angkor" for Heritage Sites in Kunming on Friday. [Photo courtesy of Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia]
A campaign to promote historical travel and cultural heritage in both China's Yunnan province and Cambodia's Angkor was launched in Yunnan on Friday, witnessed by hundreds of officials and industrial leaders from the two countries.
The event, titled China (Yunnan)-Cambodia Cultural Series on "Visiting Yunnan and Angkor" for Heritage Sites, took place in Kunming — capital of Yunnan —, bringing together experts from sectors such as publicity, culture and tourism, diplomatic and foreign affairs, education, sports and aviation to facilitate cultural and tourism exchanges.
Senior Chinese and Cambodian officials and executives inspect traditional cultural artifacts from Lijiang of Yunnan province at Friday's event. [Photo courtesy of Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia]
At the launching ceremony speeches were made by Zeng Yan, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Yunnan Provincial Committee; Neth Pheaktra, minister of information of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Prak Phannara, secretary of state of the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia; and Wu Xu, member of the Leading Party Members Group and the Secretariat of the All-China Journalists Association.
A joint cultural and tourism-themed promotional activity was held during the ceremony, inviting actors to perform dances with local characteristics, while tour guides shared stories about the historical sites in Yunnan and Cambodia.
Cambodian tour guides share their stories at the ceremony. [Photo courtesy of Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia]
Yunnan has five world heritages on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, including its famous stone forest and the Lijiang Ancient Town. Cambodia's Angkor and other three cultural sites have been inscribed on UNESCO's list.
In the afternoon, the organizers arranged another promotional activity to introduce tourism routes highlighting natural and cultural world heritage sites in both places, where representatives from tourism, aviation industry and museums exchanged ideas.
Chinese and Cambodia media executives discuss cooperation at afternoon dialogue sessions. [Photo courtesy of Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia]
Simultaneously, a dialogue between Chinese and Cambodian media also took place, allowing experts from mass media in both nations to explore the role of new media in nurturing the growth of tourism and the economic and social ties between China and Cambodia.
An experiential zone dedicated to heritage themes was established outside the venue, showcasing intangible cultural heritage products and crafts from Yunnan and Cambodia, allowing guests to have a first-hand experience.
This event was hosted by the Information Office of the Yunnan Provincial People's Government and the Ministry of Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and organized by the Yunnan Daily Press Group, Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Foreign Affairs Office of the Yunnan Provincial People's Government, and Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia.
Cambodian artists give performances of local dance with handy chestnut drums. [Photo courtesy of Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia]
Other guests at the ceremony included Zhang Dong, vice-inspector of the International Communication Bureau of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; Chhean Leang, secretary of state of the Ministry of Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Prak Thaveak Amida, undersecretary of state and chief of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia; and Hour Sophara, the consul general of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Kunming.