At a forum held in Selangor, Malaysia, participants discussed the need to harness the cultural and civilisational strength of Asian countries to support regional unity, openness and progress towards a shared future. Qu Yingpu, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS, said that in order to achieve these goals, a new Asian model of cultural heritage development and international co-operation must be established.

Christina Yeo Ken Yin, undersecretary of the International Relations Division in Culture at Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, emphasised the need for joint efforts to promote exchange and mutual learning of Asian cultural heritage. Chang Shan, counselor of the cultural affairs department of the Chinese embassy in Malaysia, noted the importance of the exchange of civilisations for human progress and global peace. He also pointed out the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia and outlined the role of cultural heritage in bilateral relations.

The forum included a panel discussion on “Transnational Cooperation for the Conservation of Shared Cultural Landscapes in Asia” in which experts exchanged views on strategies for preserving cultural heritage and landscapes in the region.

Photo: China Daily/ Edmond Tang/ Andy Chong