Asian countries urged to establish tourism network

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on April 14, 2006. It features the 5th annual convention of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21), which recently took place in Taipei. Participants of the convention called for the establishment of an allied Asian tourism network in order to promote tourism development throughout Asia. They also advocated for young citizens from ANMC21's member countries to be allowed to exchange residence experiences in different Asian cities.

For example, Taipei's International Art Village program receives about 100 young artists and performance artists from around the world each year, for one to three months as "artists in residence". Similar programs are being planned in the Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan.

The Asian Network of Major Cities 21 was initiated by Japan and formed in August 2000 in Kuala Lumpur during a joint conference that involved the cities of Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi and Seoul. According to the participants, Asia is a fast-changing area with the greatest development potential among all regions around the world. Regional and inter-regional exchanges and cooperation has become increasingly important.

The Asian Network of Major Cities 21's annual convention was going to take place in Beijing in 2005. In Jakarta in 2004, the convention concluded that Taipei had the right to host the 2006 meeting. However, Beijing opposed to the decision and later quit the organization, resulting in the cancellation of the 2005 convention. Taipei was later called in to host the ANMC21's 5th convention half a year ahead of schedule.