An art performance at the China and Vietnam Border Inhabitants Gala.

The China and Vietnam Border Inhabitants Gala was held from May 19 to 20 in China’s border city of Jingxi in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with spotlight on strengthening friendly exchange in the border area.

During the event, diverse activities were presented including musical performances by popular singers from the two countries and folk song festivals featuring ordinary residents as well as tourist promotion activities.

Famous scholars and writers were invited to attend cultural exchange events during the gala and discuss topics such as cross-border cooperation programs concerning China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Guangxi, which borders Vietnam, plays a key role in China’s cooperation with ASEAN. The annual gala has been running since 2009 and hosted by a number of border cities in Guangxi including Fangcheng, Dongxing and Pingxiang.