Chongqing- The Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance Conference and Mayors’ Forum on Culture and Tourism is to be held in Chongqing from October 20-22, according to a press conference Friday. It aims to deepen further exchange and cooperation in the field of cultural tourism in the post-pandemic era.

The refinement of cooperation mechanisms between Mekong tourism cities will feature on the agenda, along with a general plan for the International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and joint construction of the Belt and Road initiative, as further progress is built upon the consensus reached during the 3rd Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting.

Further highlights will include the Lancang-Mekong National Youth Cultural Exchange Performance, Tourist Cities Cultural Tourism Promotion Conference, and the Cultural Tourism Enterprise Fair. Supporting facilities will include the Mekong Themed Photo Exhibition, Chongqing Intangible Cultural Heritage Boutique Interactive Experience Exhibition, and a variety of sub-activities, including exchange meetings such as Jiulong Nights.

Leaders and counterparts from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Agency for International Development Cooperation, diplomatic envoys to China from the five Mekong countries, and government representatives from the first batch of more than 20 member cities will attend the event in online and offline formats.

At present, high-profile guests such as the ambassadors of Myanmar and Laos ambassadors to China have already confirmed their participation and intention to deliver speeches in Chongqing.

Wide representation of Mekong cultural tourism

Invitations have been extended to over 150 guests who will participate in the event offline, including representatives from the tourism authorities of Mekong River countries based in China, international organizations such as the China-ASEAN Center, renowned experts and scholars, reputed enterprises, organizations from the cultural tourism industry, government leaders from Chongqing, young performers from colleges and universities in Chongqing, and representatives of mainstream domestic media outlets.

In the interests of epidemic control, the conference has also invited guests to participate through online platforms, including representatives from the Chinese cultural centers and tourism offices based in the five Mekong countries.

Additionally, there will be representatives of the Chongqing Culture and Tourism Promotion Center in Bangkok, domestic and foreign cultural tourism enterprises, industry and municipal associations, scenic areas, and travel agencies in attendance online.

During the conference, guests will discuss the high-quality development of the Mekong cultural tourism industry, the joint promotion of major projects, shared development resources, cultural tourism brands, and the attraction of investment.

Host city accentuates local characteristics

The conference has taken the lead in designing an official logo for the Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance, in line with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism instructions.

A professional team of dedicated artists from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute has designed a conference flag and commemorative medallions and envelopes that will be presented to guests during the conference.

This year marks the fifth anniversary since the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism, an occasion that will be marked by performances from the youth of Mekong countries as part of cultural exchange.

Chongqing University, Southwest University, Southwest University of political science and law, Sichuan International Studies University, and others have recommended teachers and students from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar to perform songs, dances, and poetry recitals together with Chinese youth, like friendship and ties between the young people of Mekong countries are further deepened.

Three specialty tour routes have been carefully designed so that guests from home and abroad can feel the unique charm of cultural tourism and history in Chongqing. The Leisure Art Tour includes Chongqing Zoo and the Jiulong Art Peninsula. The Urban Cultural Tour takes in the Jianchuan Museum and 166 Zhuhai Destroyer, and the Red Memories Tour offers Zhou Mansion and the 18 Steps.

A series of activities such as the Themed Photo Exhibition of Mekong Cultural Tourism, the Tourism Commodity Exhibition of Mekong Tourist Cities, and the Interactive Experience Exhibition for Chongqing Intangible Cultural Heritage Products will be held, as full consideration has been given to the interaction between guests, with focus on Mekong folk customs and the unique charm of Bayu culture.

Guests and experts will conduct in-depth discussions on the three main themes of tourism recovery post-epidemic and mechanisms for security coordination, cooperation between Mekong cities and inland city internationalization, and tourism development and rural revitalization, which will provide intellectual support for high-quality development in the cultural tourism industries among Mekong River nations.

Finally, the official documentation for the alliance will be further studied and enhanced to improve mechanisms and promote orderly development.