Enhanced cultural exchanges and cooperation between Asian countries and regions will help regional peace and development and better protect cultural heritage, top officials said on Friday.

Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng made the remarks at the Cultural Asia Ministerial Forum, which kicked off in Foshan in south China's Guangdong Province.

The theme of the three-day forum is how to better protect and develop regional arts and culture and strengthen cultural cooperation between Asian countries and regions.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Asia Arts Festival also opened on Friday in conjunction with the forum. It will include a series of traditional arts performances.

Since 1998 when it was first held in Beijing, the annual festival has attracted more than 110 arts troupes from more than 20 countries and regions in Asia and has become one of the most important events for art exchanges in the region.

Sri Hsatanto, vice minister of culture and education of Indonesia, said on Friday that Asian countries and regions should combine their technological strength to make a comprehensive database for cultural heritage protection.

(China Daily November 12, 2005)