Diplomats and cultural officials from China and Bolivia gathered Wednesday in the South American country's administrative capital of La Paz for the opening ceremony of a week-long cultural exchange program, reports reaching here said.

The China-Bolivia Culture Week, co-sponsored by the Chinese embassy and several Bolivian ministries, will unfold a series of exhibitions, including a photo show dubbed "Welcome to Beijing," a Chinese publication exhibition, a Chinese film exhibition and exhibitions of Bolivian oil paintings, handicrafts and potteries.

Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia Zhao Wuyi said at the ceremony that the event will greatly promote communications between the peoples of the two countries, given the long history of traditional friendship between Bolivia and China.

Zhao also briefed an audience of some 500 people on China's development and its preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games, adding that he expected to share the joy of the games with the Bolivian people.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2008)