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Participants attend the 2nd China-South Asia Literature Forum in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 15, 2019. With an aim of promoting art, literature and culture of China and South Asian countries, the second edition of China-South Asia Literature Forum opened up here on Tuesday under the theme of "For Promotion of Trans-Himalayan Cultural and Literary Connectivity." (Photo by Sunil Sharma/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- With an aim of promoting art, literature and culture of China and South Asian countries, the second edition of China-South Asia Literature Forum opened up here on Tuesday under the theme of "For Promotion of Trans-Himalayan Cultural and Literary Connectivity."

The five-day event, organized by Nepal Academy, was inaugurated by Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid a special function attended by scholars, experts and literary figures of China and South Asian countries.

Inaugurating the ceremony, Prime Minister Oli said that though Asia was back for a while due to internal reasons, it is the root of rich culture, civilization and development.

"Asian countries should work in harmony and cooperation and move ahead together with refined civilization for the better world," PM Oli, who is also the Patron of Nepal Academy, remarked.

Stating that the Asian countries complement to each other, the Prime Minister said the East can lead a right direction to the West, which has been detached in the recent times.

Speaking in the function, Nepali Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai took the credit of beginning of human civilization and culture in the east part of the world.

"Asia, particularly China and South Asia, is rising as a global power in the recent times. Thus, we need to enhance connectivity through tourism and culture," Bhattarai said.

Delegates from China and all South Asian countries except Afghanistan and Bhutan have participated in the forum, which comprises of paper presentations, interaction and cultural activities.

According to the organizer Nepal Academy, a national institution of Nepal for promotion of the languages, literature, culture, philosophy and social sciences of Nepal, the event aims to work as a bridge between China and South Asia and renew and revise the links of cultural connectivity across the Himalayas.

Ganga Prasad Uprety, Chancellor of Nepal Academy, said that Asia can be a center of global intellectual and cultural regime. "There is a need of more research, translation, publication in the field of art and culture and exchange of visits to boost regional solidarity," Uprety said.

The first edition of China-South Asia Literature Forum was held in China in 2017.