The first cross-Straits cultural and tourism exchange conference was held on May 27 in Jinan, capital of Shandong province.

About 350 guests attended the conference, including officials from relevant government officials and representatives from the fields of culture, education, tourism and the press.

Li Qun, vice minister of Culture of Tourism, delivered a speech at the conference. He said that the conference serves as a new platform for cross-Straits culture and tourism exchanges and cooperation, which is designed to promote the exchange of information, sharing of resources and experience, expanding the market and deepening friendship between the two sides.

Experts and professors from Communication University of China and Chung Hua University shared their insights on cultural and tourism integration development.

Tourism industry insiders also delivered speeches on rural tourism and characteristic town development.

The conference was part of a cultural and tourism exchange event held from May 22 to May 30 in Shandong to promote cross-Straits cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation.

The event was jointly organized by the Chinese Culture Friendship Association, the Cross-Straits Tourism Exchange Association, the Shandong provincial government and the Shandong provincial department of culture and tourism.

Inspect tours to Shandong's cultural organizations, museums and scenic spots were also organized for in-depth exchanges and cooperation.

The first cross-Straits cultural and tourism exchange conference is held on May 27 in Jinan, capital of Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Li Qun, vice minister of Culture of Tourism, delivers a speech at the conference on May 27 in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fan Zhou, director of Culture Development Institute of the Communication University of China, delivers a speech at the conference on May 27 in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]