11th art festival facilitates exchange among LMC countries

The 11th Culture and Art Festival for Countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin was held in south Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, facilitating cultural exchange and mutual understanding in the six countries involved in the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC).

Opening of the 11th Culture and Art Festival for Countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin

“With the progress of the LMC mechanism, the Lancang-Mekong art festival has grown to be an influential brand of cultural exchange and mutual learning in the region, and an increasing number of artists from the six countries and beyond have participated in the event,” said Dao Wen, governor of Xishuangbanna.

Ounethouang Khaophanh, deputy minister of information, culture and tourism of Laos, said the Belt and Road Initiative has created favorable conditions for Lao socioeconomic development and people-to-people exchanges between Laos and China, hoping the art festival to enhance the friendship among the LMC countries.

Opening of the 11th Culture and Art Festival for Countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin

"This is a grand art event," said Pen Moni Makara, Cambodian secretary of state, adding the art festival carries friendship of the LMC countries and will thus have a bright future.

The 11th Lancang-Mekong art festival consisted an opening gala, performances, themed exhibitions and photo shows on biodiversity, the Mekong River and the China-Laos Railway.

Source: Yunnan Daily and China News Service; Trans-editing by Wang Shixue