Beijing seeks regional cultural alliance
Coalition aims to boost ties among Asian neighbours and temper fears over China's growing economic dominance
Beijing is seeking closer ties with its neighbours through a regional cultural alliance also aimed at alleviating concerns over China's rapid development.
Officials hoped to see the establishment of the Asian Cultural League next year, said Gao Zhanxiang, chairman of the Chinese Cultural Promotion Society and a former vice-minister of culture. The body would bring together non-governmental organisations from 49 Asian countries and regions.
The rapid growth of many economies in the region offered good opportunities for cultural exchange and co-operation, Mr Gao told a regional cultural meeting in Beijing yesterday.
'The establishment of a regional non-governmental organisation, based on equality, friendly co-operation and common prosperity, has become a common wish of many Asian countries and regions,' he said.
Beijing's proposal for a cultural alliance comes as many neighbouring countries are expressing anxiety over China's rising political, economic and military clout in the region.
An initiative calling for other Asian countries' support for the proposal will be drafted at the end of the two-day conference, which is being attended by delegates from 16 Asian countries and regions, including India, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
'With the help of the authorities, we'd like to invite representative cultural NGOs and enterprises from 49 Asian nations and regions to set up the Asian Cultural League and a cultural co-operation fund in 2006,' Mr Gao said.
The new organisation would aim to protect traditional cultures and help maintain diversity.
Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng said the central government was sincere about wanting to work with other Asian countries to further cultural links at the national, governmental and grassroots levels. Mr Sun noted that President Hu Jintao recently emphasised the importance of cultural co-operation among countries in forging a new type of strategic partnership to complement the building of political, economic and security ties.
'Culturally, countries should become co-operative partners who learn from each other and complement each other,' Mr Sun quoted Mr Hu as saying.
Wong King-keung, who represented Hong Kong at yesterday's meeting, said the proposed cultural alliance would help different countries and cultures better understand each other, especially amid political disputes.
'It is a fact that cultural differences as well as political differences exist. What we should do is seek common ground while reserving differences,' said Mr Wong, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Institute for the Promotion of Chinese Culture. He said NGOs had a unique role to play in improving cultural co-operation.
