Experts and scholars from China and Egypt will hold discussions on issues including tourism at relic sites and cultural heritage protection at a joint symposium from May 18 to 19, sources with the Chinese Ministry of Culture (MOC) said in Beijing Thursday.

The symposium is an important part of the Egyptian Culture Week to be held from May 14 to 28, which will be the largest Egyptian culture event ever held in China.

An official with the MOC said the culture week will include tour performances by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra and Egyptian Modern Dance Ensemble, an Egyptian Arts Exhibition and visits by Egyptian reporters, as well as a cultural symposium.

Egypt's ambassador to China and vice culture minister will be invited to deliver speeches on tourism around relic sites, cultural heritage protection, management of theater, publishing, culture investment, and intellectual property rights protection. The two sides will also exchange views on communication and cooperation in relevant fields.

The organizer, the China International Exhibition Agency, said the cultural sector in Egypt has developed into a big industry in recent years, by innovating the management of the private cultural sector, and giving full play to public cultural service institutions like libraries, theaters, museums, and historical relics.

According to the organizer, the Egyptian Culture Week will be extended to eight Chinese cities, namely, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Dalian, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2004)