The "2024 ASEAN Cultural Day in the Capital of Overseas Chinese", co-hosted by the Jiangmen Municipal Government and the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, took place in Jiangmen city, Guangdong province from August 9 to 10.

The event attracted officials from the consulates general of the Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam in Guangzhou, as well as ASEAN international students studying in Guangdong.

These guests explored local museums, ancestral villages, mangrove birdwatching trails, and leading manufacturing enterprises, gaining first-hand experience of the unique culture of Jiangmen and witnessing the dynamic momentum of high-quality development in Guangdong.

Officials from several ASEAN countries' consulates general in Guangzhou visit the Overseas Chinese Museum in Jiangmen city, Guangdong province on Aug 9, 2024. 

ASEAN international students in Guangdong visit Amos Food Co., Ltd in Jiangmen city, Guangdong province on Aug 9, 2024.

"Jiangmen is a bridge connecting China and Southeast Asian countries, holding a special place in the hearts of the ASEAN people, embodying the spirit of cooperation and strong friendship between the two sides," said Iric Cruz Arribas, the Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines in Guangzhou.

Jiangmen and the ASEAN countries share deep historical connections and close contemporary ties. Currently, over 300,000 overseas Chinese from Jiangmen reside in ASEAN countries, serving as important bridges linking Jiangmen and ASEAN.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian businesses are increasingly investing in Jiangmen, with nearly 200 ASEAN enterprises already established in the city, boasting a total investment of over 23 billion yuan ($3.22 billion). In the first half of this year, Jiangmen's trade with ASEAN countries reached nearly 12 billion yuan, marking a 16.6 percent increase, highlighting the growing economic and trade cooperation between the two regions.

Officials from several ASEAN countries' consulates general in Guangzhou visit the Qingshan Mangrove Birdwatching Trail in Haiyan town, Taishan city in Guangdong province on Aug 9, 2024.

Officials from several ASEAN countries' consulates general in Guangzhou visit a manufacturing enterprise in Jiangmen city, Guangdong province on Aug 9, 2024.

"Wufeng village in Haiyan town, Taishan city, known as the 'Little United Nations', is home to returning overseas Chinese and their descendants from various Southeast Asian countries and regions. The village features distinctive Southeast Asian-style buildings and plants," said Wu Xiaohui, mayor of Jiangmen.

He expressed his hope that the consuls and ASEAN students in Guangdong would visit Jiangmen more often, contributing to the cultural exchanges between Jiangmen and ASEAN countries. He also encouraged more ASEAN enterprises to visit Jiangmen for project and business development, so as to promote deeper cooperation in economy and trade, technological innovation, cultural education, and social livelihood, further enhancing exchanges and cooperation between Jiangmen and ASEAN countries.

ASEAN international students in Guangdong try the bamboo pole dance with descendants of returning overseas Chinese in Wufeng village, Haiyan town, Taishan city in Guangdong province on Aug 9, 2024.

The exchange gala for the "2024 ASEAN Cultural Day in the Capital of Overseas Chinese" is held in Wufeng village, Haiyan town, Taishan city in Guangdong province on Aug 9, 2024.

The event was part of the 2024 China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges. ASEAN has been Guangdong's largest trading partner for four consecutive years. In 2023, the total import and export value between Guangdong and ASEAN countries reached $191 billion, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total trade between China and ASEAN countries, consistently ranking first in the country.

In recent years, Guangdong and ASEAN countries have achieved a series of fruitful results in cultural exchanges, becoming a vivid embodiment of the efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

"I believe that the event will further deepen exchanges between Guangdong and ASEAN countries in culture, tourism, education, youth, and at the local level, consolidating the foundation of mutual trust, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and fostering inclusiveness and mutual learning," said Qian Hongjie, vice-president of the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

"This will enhance the breadth, depth, and warmth of people-to-people exchanges, promoting mutual understanding and integration between the peoples of both sides, and injecting more vitality to China-ASEAN cooperation," he added.