PETALING JAYA: The Asia News Network (ANN) plays a significant role in telling the stories of Asian civilisation’s inheritance, development and mutual learning, says the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac).

Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry international relations division (culture) undersecretary Dr Christina Yeo Ken Yin said the ANN has continuously projected and amplify the Asian voice throughout its 25-year inception.

“Malaysia commits to further engage in comprehensive exchanges and cooperation with other Asian countries in areas such as cultural relics restoration, exhibition display, cooperative research, and joint heritage nominations,” she said in her keynote address at the Forum on Cultural Heritage Conservation with the theme “Shared Heritage, Shared Future,” here on Thursday (Sept 5).

Yeo also revealed that Malaysia is preparing to join the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia.

“We look forward to leveraging the communicative advantages and unique platform of the ANN to play a positive role.

“This includes record dissemination, public participation, youth interactions, promotion of research findings, and transnational cooperative exchanges,” she said.

Cultural Affairs Department of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia counsellor Chang Shan said Asia is an important cradle of human civilisation.

“Our forefathers have long exchanged intercivilisation exchanges and mutual learning.

“China and southeast Asian countries are linked by common mountains, rivers and share a historical bond.

“This leads to even closer exchanges,” she said in her address.

China Daily publisher and editor Qu Yingpu said the media played a crucial role in bridging cultural exchanges.

“We connect people and can use new technologies like virtual reality to help people explore various civilisations.

“These technologies can break through the barrier of time and space, allowing people around the world to see and experience cultural heritage up close,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of research on traditional Asian cultures as well as their cultural relevance.

“As Asian media, we should break down cultural barriers and promote the progress of Asian civilisation through exchanges and mutual learning,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/05/malaysia-is-committed-to-cultural-preservation-and-exchange-in-asia