China-France Culture Year has promoted China's diplomatic performance, a senior Chinese cultural official said Thursday at a seminar on China-France Culture Year.

More than 300 projects of the Chinese Culture Year in France, the largest cultural exchange held between China and Europe, from October 2003 to July 2004 have attracted millions of French citizens, Deputy Minister of Culture Meng Xiaosi said.

Valerie Terranova, special assistant to French President Jacques Chirac, said that more than 95 percent of the French media spoke positively about the Chinese Culture Year.

"Quite a few countries have suggested to host culture exchange projects with China, which showed that cultural activities can bring vigor to China's diplomatic performance," Meng said.

Wu Jianmin, president of Foreign Affairs College and former Chinese ambassador to France, said the China-France Culture Year reminded Chinese and French people about the value of their traditional cultures.

Agreeing with Wu, famous writer and former Culture Minister, Wang Meng, said China should play an active role in cultural exchange. The Chinese Culture Year reflected the welcome of the international community.

Wu Changsheng, director of International Department of the People's Daily, said that China considers culture exchange the third pillar of national diplomatic ties. The French people have been able to learn about China through "face-to-face communication," which ensured further cooperation between the two countries.

The experts also gave advice on building cultural diplomatic ties.

Guo Yongyi, a veteran journalist with People's Daily said the Chinese government should do researches on a strategy for culture exchanges, launch more Chinese culture centers and exchange programs overseas, encourage Chinese local culture industry and promote Chinese language study in foreign schools.

The half-day seminar was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the People's Daily, with a view to push forward the ongoing French Culture Year with rich experience of Chinese Culture Year.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2005)