NANNING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The China and Vietnam Border Inhabitants Gala began Sunday in China's border city of Jingxi in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with a theme of strengthening friendly exchanges in the border area.

During the two-day event, diverse activities will be held with musical performance by popular singers from the two countries and folk song festivals joined by ordinary residents as well as tourist promotion activities.

Famous scholars and writers are invited to attend cultural exchange events held during the gala discussing topics such as cross-border cooperation programs concerning China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Guangxi, which borders Vietnam, plays a big role in China's cooperation with ASEAN. The annual gala held since 2009 has been organized in turn in a number of border cities in Guangxi, including Fangcheng, Dongxing and Pingxiang.