Starting from August 31 to September 6, the 8th AAF, with the theme of "learning from each other, and developing in a harmonious step", the main activities of the 8th Asia Arts Festival (AAF) are composed of the grand performance of "Bravo! ASEAN" jointly staged by ASEAN and Chinese artists, the "Theme Conference of Asian (10＋3) Art Museum Directors Forum", "Asian Wonders - Art Exhibition of ASEAN".

The Asia Art Festival (AAF) is the first regional international art festival held by China. Since its debut in 1998, the AAF aimed at "promoting China-foreign understanding, strengthening friendship among different peoples, facilitating the development of cultural industries, and meeting the cultural demands of the general public".
The year of 2006 is the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relationship. Last December, when our Premier Wen Jiabao attended the ninth leaders meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Korea in Malaysia, he proposed to host the 8th Asia Arts Festival in 2006. It is learned that the highlight of this year's AAF is the ASEAN Culture Week.

On the 8th AAF, the artists from Brunei, Laos and Burma will bring their national instrumental music performance. Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and other countries will bring their popular songs and modern dances, as well as exhibit various handicrafts, such as textiles, lacquerworks and embroideries which best represent the traditions and cultures of each ASEAN member country.