In a vibrant celebration of cultural exchange, young TikTok influencers from across Southeast Asia gathered in Haikou, Hainan Province, China, on Thursday for the 2024 ‘Family of the Maritime Silk Road’ ASEAN Online Celebrity Conference and TikTok Short Video Pageant Award Ceremony.
The event, launched earlier this year, aims to promote travel and culture in Hainan while enhancing friendships with ASEAN countries through social media engagement. Influencers from Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia clinched the first prize, recognized for their creative content that has connected millions of young people across borders.
‘ASEAN has remained Hainan Province’s top trading partner for three consecutive years,’ said Su Qiya, deputy director general of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province. ‘We hope this event will bring the people of China and ASEAN countries closer, fostering deeper cooperation and extensive exchanges in economy, trade, culture, and tourism.’
Hainan, often dubbed the ‘Hawaii of China,’ has become a key hub linking China and ASEAN member countries. The province has actively hosted cultural and tourism events to boost economic and trade collaboration. Citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei can enjoy visa-free entry to Hainan for tourism, business, family visits, and more, making it an accessible destination for many young travelers.
The integration of culture and tourism has played a significant role in promoting mutual exchanges and social development between Hainan and ASEAN countries. During the conference, new cooperation mechanisms like the ‘One Family along the Maritime Silk Road’ Influencers Grand Alliance and a duty-free season were launched, promising more opportunities for cross-cultural interaction.
Officials from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, the China-ASEAN Center, and the Consulate-General of Thailand in Guangzhou attended the event, alongside diplomats and content creators from various ASEAN countries.
The 2024 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges serves as a pivotal platform to strengthen education, tourism, and cultural ties. Young influencers, through their creative and engaging content, are at the forefront of this movement, bridging gaps and fostering understanding among the youth of China and ASEAN nations.
As the world becomes increasingly connected, events like this highlight the power of social media and youth engagement in shaping international relationships and promoting shared values.
Reference(s):
Youth TikTok influencers awarded in Hainan for China-ASEAN bonds
cgtn.com
