The festival's grand opening performance, "Cheering for ASEAN", was held at the Beijing Exhibition Theatre on Aug.31 evening. Li Changchun, the Chinese Senior Leader and Ong Keng Yong, the Secretary-General of ASEAN attended the opening ceremony.

Li, greeting and meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong before the opening ceremony, and give the advanced best wishes to the ASEAN Cultural Week. Li said, due to the profound foundation of cultural cooperation, China and ASEAN becoming the "good neighbors," "good partners" and "good friends." This year is the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relationship, China is ready to develop the strategic partnership based on peace and prosperity with ASEAN. Li also said, China hopes to further promote bilateral cooperation not only in trade and economy, but also in social, cultural, political and security fields.

In his part, Ong said China has played an important role in promoting unity and cooperation between ASEAN members, and he believes the Cultural Week would further enhance mutual understanding and friendship and lay a solid foundation for cultural exchange and cooperation between China and ASEAN as well as cultural cooperation among ASEAN plus three countries (China, Japan, the Republic of Korea).