Internal working platform of Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

On November 19, the launch ceremony of the "World Heritage Tourism Plan", a supporting activity of the 2024 China International Sister Cities Conference, was held in Kunming.

The event was hosted by the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Representatives from Yunnan sister cities from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Romania and other countries, as well as some provinces and cities in my country, and World Heritage cities in Yunnan Province gathered together to start the journey to the World Heritage site.

Representatives from Fujian, Shandong, Yunnan and other provinces in China, as well as countries along the Mekong River Basin, promoted the World Heritage sites in their respective hometowns.

In order to promote the protection of cultural and natural heritage and revitalize world heritage, the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries jointly launched the “World Heritage Tourism Plan” to advocate government departments and cultural organizations where global world heritage sites are located. Tourism departments, media organizations, think tanks, universities, travel agents, industry associations, non-governmental organizations, etc. jointly participate to integrate resources from all parties and explore new strategies and methods for world heritage protection; promote the design and service improvement of cross-border tourism routes, and support Sustainable development of tourism; promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning, formulating communication strategies, and increasing the communication of world heritage. At the same time, we jointly organized the "World Heritage Tourism" city cultural tourism carnival, the "World Heritage Tourism" expert experience and salon sharing session, the "World Heritage Tourism" tourism product negotiation meeting, the "City Impression" global photography competition and exhibition and other activities to promote Integrate development of tourism and culture to create a world heritage tourism brand with local characteristics. Strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in the field of cultural and natural heritage, improve heritage protection capabilities and levels; enhance public awareness of the importance of world heritage, practice green and low-carbon tourism; support local communities to participate in the protection and utilization of world heritage. The plan will set up a liaison office at the South Asia and Southeast Asia Regional International Communication Center in Yunnan Province to carry out cooperation based on specific projects.

At the event, representatives from China’s Fujian, Shandong, Yunnan and other provinces as well as the Mekong River Basin countries promoted the world heritage sites in their respective hometowns, the "Starlight Roaming in the Secret Land of Buddha" China-Laos Fantasy Tour, "Traveling in Yunnan and Seeing Angkor - China and Cambodia" Two high-quality "World Heritage Tours" tourism routes, "Natural and Cultural Heritage Tour", were officially launched. Xinhuanet's "Visit Yunnan and See Angkor" integrated media channel and China News Service's "Visit Yunnan and See South Asia" integrated media column were launched online.

Zeng Yan, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Minister of the Propaganda Department, Wang Hao, Vice Governor; Benleng Manifong, Vice Governor of Luang Prabang Province, Chairman of the Laos-China Friendship Association of Luang Prabang Province, Member of the Xieng Khouang Provincial Committee of Laos, Vice Governor Xi Weilai Sangcharak, Vice Governor of Siem Reap Province in Cambodia Yunlin, Deputy Governor of Kep Province in Cambodia Wen Rong and others attended the launch ceremony.