Asian arts festival

The development of Asian culture during the present global downturn is the focus of a ministerial round-table meeting involving 17 countries, a major part of the 11th Asian Arts Festival, which began yesterday in Ordos of Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

"The impact of the global financial crisis has extended to various aspects of society. Cultural development in Asia is facing severe challenges, and how to deal with the challenges are urgent issues facing Asian countries," said China's culture minister Cai Wu in his opening speech.