CHENGDU, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The 2nd China-CEEC Arts Cooperation Forum opened in the southwest China metropolis of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, on Monday, attracting nearly 300 participants from China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC).

The five-day forum will hold five parallel sessions focusing on music, fine arts, dancing, drama, and children's activities. Artists, foreign diplomats, and representatives of art institutions and culture departments have been invited to participate.

The theme of this year's forum is contemporary arts, with topics involving the current situation, challenges, and solutions of creating modern art.

Two art cooperation fairs featuring experience sharing and program promotion will also be held during the forum.

Krizbai Bela Dan, vice president of the Romanian Cultural Institute, said a common cultural forum must be established to promote dialogues among countries with different histories and cultures so as to respond to the challenges facing contemporary art and culture.

The forum, co-held by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as the provincial government of Sichuan this year, is held every two years. The first was held in Beijing in 2016.