NANNING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The China-ASEAN Music Week kicked off in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Tuesday night.

The international event is hosted by Guangxi Arts University under the guidance of the Chinese Musicians Association and the International Society for Contemporary Music.

Nearly 300 musicians from 27 countries and regions are expected to attend the festival. Bands from the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, the United States, Russia and Vietnam will perform during the festival.

There will also be forums and academic seminars held in the city of Nanning, capital of Guangxi, during the festival.

As the guest country this year, the Philippines will hold a Filipino instruments exhibition.

"Music has the power to bring together people's hearts. We are so grateful that the event can provide such a good platform for musicians and composers across the world," said Ajeet-Victor S. Panemanglor, vice consul of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Guangzhou.

"The China-ASEAN Music Week's influence has increased continuously since the first event was held in 2012. It is a platform for arts exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, as well as the world," said Zheng Junli, president of the university.?