S. Korea, China, Japan adopt declaration to boost cultural exchanges

South Korea, China and Japan on Thursday adopted a declaration aimed at strengthening cultural exchanges and cooperation between the countries with a focus on fostering exchanges among younger generations, the culture ministry said. The Kyoto Declaration was signed at the end of the 15th annual meeting of culture ministers of the three countries held in Kyoto, Japan. It outlines the importance of enhancing mutual understanding through cultural exchanges and cooperation to build forward-looking relations among the countries, according to the ministry. Yong Ho-sung (R), South Korea's first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism; Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Masahito Moriyama (C); and Chinese Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Zheng pose for a photo after signing the Kyoto Declaration during the 15th annual culture ministers' meeting in Kyoto, Japan, on Sept. 12, 2024, in this photo provided by the South Korean culture ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Y onhap) Yong Ho-sung (R), South Korea's first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism; Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Masahito Moriyama (C); and Chinese Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Zheng pose for a photo after signing the Kyoto Declaration during the 15th annual culture ministers' meeting in Kyoto, Japan, on Sept. 12, 2024, in this photo provided by the South Korean culture ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) The meeting was attended by Yong Ho-sung, South Korea's first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism; Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Masahito Moriyama; and Chinese Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Zheng. Key initiatives in the declaration include strengthening cultural programs focused on future generations, expanding cultural cooperation among "Culture Cities of East Asia" and protecting cultural heritage as common public assets of the world. Since 2014, the three nations have des ignated one to two culture cities of East Asia in each country every year that will lead various cultural exchange programs to enhance mutual understanding. The ministers also pledged to enhance support for artists and their rights in response to the digital transformation of the cultural sector. During the meeting, the ministers announced the selection of South Korea's Anseong, Macao Special Administrative Region and Huzhou of China, and Kamakura in Japan as East Asian culture cities of 2025. The culture ministers' talks have been held annually since 2007, serving as a key forum for the three Asian countries to promote cultural cooperation and friendship through arts and heritage. Source: Yonhap News Agency