The 9th Culture and Arts Festival of Countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin opened recently in south Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, gathering artists from the six countries of China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

The culture event was specifically held in the Gaozhuang Xishuanjing scenic area, where international artists sang the song “Drinking from the Same River” near a gilded pagoda.  

 "I got well-prepared for this event, and I'm happy to be here in Xishuangbanna to see dances from various countries," said a 23-year-old Thai actor, who just finished performing at the opening.

Pathamarat Nakanitanon, another guest from Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, said the event makes an artistic feast, where artists from the six countries can communicate and learn from each other.

Since its inception in 1992, the Lancang-Mekong arts festival has been held for 27 consecutive years, with the title being “culture and arts festival in the border areas of China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam” in the beginning years.

So far, the arts festival has grown to be a platform for cultural exchanges and economic cooperation, as well as a regional culture-brand conducive to the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.