Malaysia is committed to further engaging in comprehensive exchange and cooperation with other Asian countries on cultural heritage conservation, a high-ranking Malaysian cultural official said on Thursday.

As the world is in the middle of rapid change and development, it is necessary to promote Asian civilizations and contribute to the vitality of Asian countries, said Christina Yeo Ken Yin, undersecretary of the International Relations Division in Culture at Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Speaking at the Forum on Cultural Heritage Conservation, Yeo said countries in the region have to work together to promote the exchange and mutual learning of Asian cultural heritage, not only as a reflection of memory and identity of the past, but also as an important way to redeem modern Asian societal values.

"We must play the important role of protecting Asian cultural heritage," said Yeo, adding that regional countries should be the guardians, promoters and proponents of Asian civilizations.