Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh (R) and Chinese Minister of Culture Cai Wu, Hue, April 20, 2014 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

According to the host leader, since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership, the Viet Nam-China relations have flourished in all fields including culture.

“Socio-cultural cooperation is one of the three key pillars of the ASEAN Community,” said Mr. Minh. The bloc also wants to spur linkages with regional partners including China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The host leader believed that Minister Cai Wu would make an important contribution to promoting cultural cooperation between ASEAN and China.

The cultural and arts cooperation plays a significant role in enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and China and strengthening mutual understanding among peoples of the two countries.

For his part, Minister Cai Wu affirmed that China backs the ASEAN Community Building Efforts.

He also revealed that in 2014, China and ASEAN would jointly conduct around 150 cultural exchange events within the 2014 ASEAN-China Cultural Exchange Year./.