Chinese and African cultural representatives met on Friday to
exchange views on cultural policy and implementation.
Addressing the meeting, Chinese Vice Minister of Culture Zhao
Weisui said developing culture and promoting cultural exchanges
amid economic globalization were important issues facing each
country, especially developing countries.
Zhao also briefed African visitors on China's experiences on
safeguarding public cultural rights and promoting culture.
Seventeen cultural officials, managing directors of cultural
institutes from Ethiopia, Benin, Botswana, Republic of Congo,
Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia
attended the meeting.
Diplomats from Beijing embassies of some African countries were
also present.
The African Cultural Visitors Program, initially set up by
Ministry of Culture in 2006, is a long-term program on cultural
cooperation and personnel exchange between China and African
countries. It was included in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
(FOCAC) Beijing Action Plan (2007-2009) in November 2006.
During the two-week program this year, from Oct. 12 to Oct.
25,African participants will visit cultural institutes and watch
performances. Besides Beijing, they will also go to Shenzhen and
the northwestern province of Gansu.
(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2007)