The "ArtSIA Calendar" website which disseminates the latest
information on signature arts events in 11 Asian economies was
launched?in Hong Kong on?Monday at the ongoing Asia
Cultural Co-operation Forum (ACCF) 2007.
Developed and maintained by the Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau,
the website allows the public to access information on major arts
events on Chinese Mainland, China's Hong Kong and Macao, Indonesia,
Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam.
Officiating at a launching ceremony on Monday at the Asian
cultural ministers' meeting at ACCF, the Hong Kong Secretary for
Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said he hoped the website would
strengthen the flow of cultural information among the participating
Asian countries and create a clustering effect in promoting
cultural tourism in the region.
Initiated in 2006, the website aims to encourage cultural
exchange among artists and arts organizations in Asia and to
showcase Asian creative talents on a wider global stage.
The ACCF was initiated by the Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau in
2003 to foster regional cultural co-operation, share good practices
and promote culture the arts and creative industries.
This year's forum was themed Culture Coming Home, which would be
lasted from July 22 to 25.
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(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2007)