As three 2015 East Asia Cities of Culture, China's Qingdao, Japan's Niigata and South Korea's Cheongju recently signed the league agreement in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province. The formal establishment of league starts the cultural exchange in 2016.

Through this year, 6 cultural exchange programs will be launched such as the activity of 'cultural exchange envoy' during this summer holiday with the theme of traditional instrumental musical exchange and learning. Art groups, educational institutions, academic exchange society and public groups are encouraged to participate in various events in three cities.

This year's chopstick cultural festival will be expanded when compared to the last year's festival. Expert representatives from three countries will join the chopstick cultural committee and work out the agenda of the chopstick cultural forum at the meeting of Three Culture Ministers of China, Japan and Korea.