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)