We also hold the opinion that we should make the cultural human resources training under the framework of regional cooperation tend to serve the younger generation, and take into consideration the cultural undertakings and culture industry when setting the training curriculum. (3) China, Japan and South Korea are conducting positive and effective cooperation in cultural heritage protection. China takes a positive and open attitude toward the establishment of a China, Japan and South Korea intangible cultural heritage protection center. (4) In the aspect of cooperation in culture industry, seven China-Japan-South Korea Culture Industry Forums have been held successfully. In 2009, the 8th China-Japan-South Korea Culture Industry Forum will be held in South Korea. China is glad to see that China-Japan-South Korea culture industry is in the process of sound development toward service, efficiency, and pragmatism.

Given that the current global financial crisis spread rapidly and has gradually affected the development of the real economy, China believes that the 8th China-Japan-South Korea Culture Industry Forum should cater to enterprises, and the three countries should carry out transactional negotiation ahead of time, and make efforts through the forum to help the culture enterprises pull through the international financial crisis with some policies.

3. In the new historical period, both the form and the content of China-Japan-South Korea cultural cooperation should be in line with the requirements of the age, and bear the distinct characteristics of the age.

In the age of development and progress, China-Japan-South Korea cultural cooperation should be on the forefront of the history and development of the age, and continually meet the peoples’ growing demand for spiritual and cultural life. China noted that South Korea has come up with the idea that cultural exchanges and cooperation should not be confined to enhancing the cultural identity, instead, the exchanges and cooperation should play a part in researching on global focuses like global warming and ecological culture, and enrich our cultural cooperation in the fields concerned through ecological cultural cooperation, resource sharing and joint research.

China supports the above constructive proposals. We believe that the category of culture is expanding with the development of global economy and society. While maintaining the cultural cooperation in traditional fields, we should explore the feasibility of non-traditional cultural cooperation on the basis of the overall situation. Thus, China will discuss and make concrete plans for cooperation in ecological culture and other aspects with South Korea and Japan.

At present, China is thoroughly applying the scientific outlook on development and energetically building a harmonious socialist society. The idea of a human-oriented scientific outlook on development and harmonious society is in line with the actual modernization in China, in line with people’s wishes and aspirations, and also in line with Chinese cultural traditions. Once the idea was put forth, it deeply touched the Chinese people, and received wide acclaims all over the world.

China's cultural construction should also be carried out under the guidance of scientific outlook on development. Adhering to the idea of putting people first, we protect the freedom of artistic creation, and promote academic democracy, maintain and protect people's basic cultural rights and interests, and meet people’s growing and diverse spiritual and cultural needs. Meanwhile, we also stand for the maintenance of the cultural diversity of the world, and we promote common development and prosperity of cultures of different countries and nations on the basis of mutual respect, and enhance the mutual understanding and friendship among all countries.

This proves that strengthening China-Japan-South Korea cultural cooperation is not a temporary expedient, but China's sincere hope. We would like to study the proposals for China-Japan-South Korea cultural cooperation made by all parties concerned with a more open attitude.

Looking back, we can see the solid footprints and numerous achievements made by China, Japan, and South Korea in the long course of cultural exchanges; looking into the future, we can foresee that China-Japan-South Korea cultural cooperation will be timeless and enduring, yet it has a long way to go.

As the three countries’ departments of culture, we bear the responsibility of the age and history. I’m deeply convinced that with the long history and solid foundation of China-Japan-South Korea cultural exchanges, and with the cultural self-consciousness, conservation, and innovation of the countries’ departments of culture and people with vision in cultural circles, China-Japan-South Korea cultural cooperation will keeping advancing, making new and great contributions to peace, development and prosperity of the Asian-Pacific region in the new times.

(Seogwipo, South Korea, Dec 25, 2008)

(Translated by Li Jing)