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Chinese President Hu Jintao pointed out at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation that China will remain a close friend, reliable partner and good brother of Africa.

A summary of talks on cultural cooperation between China and Egypt signed in Beijing in May, 1955 signified the beginning of cultural exchanges between New China and Africa. Over the past fifty years and more, cultural exchanges between China and Africa have become more frequent. More positive results have yielded from the dialogue between the two great civilizations.

The new century has witnessed breakthroughs in Sino-Africa cultural exchanges and cooperation in terms of scale, form and quantity. In order to implement tasks set up in the action plan adopted at the summit meeting in November 2006, the China and African countries have carried out fruitful cooperation, which has smoothly promoted the bilateral and multilateral cultural exchange actions.

So far China has signed government-to-government cultural cooperation agreements with 37 African countries. More than ten implementation plans for multilateral cultural agreements between China and African countries are in their valid phases. The Chinese government abides by the principle of equality, mutual trust, mutual support and common development.

While the government-to-government cultural exchange programs are progressing, people-to-people cultural exchange programs have also taken off in recent years. Since 2007, cultural delegations from fourteen provinces and cities of China have staged performances and exhibitions in more than 30 African countries. They not only have brought popular Chinese acrobatics and martial arts to Africa but also have introduced ethnic singing and dancing shows, regional operas such as Henan Opera and Fujian Opera and puppet shows to Africa. The art shows and exhibitions have given our African friends a glimpse into the depth of Chinese culture and helped promote their understanding of modern China.

While Chinese culture is being introduced to Africa, China has seen more and more of African art. On July 28, just a few days before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, artists from seven African countries performed “African Night” at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. In October, 2008, cultural officials and artists from twenty-five African countries met in Shenzhen to stage the spectacular 2008 Africa Cultures in Focus. This was another important African cultural gala in China after the 2004 cultural festival entitled “Lets Meet in Beijing” which was held in Beijing with Africa serving as the host continent. The Shenzhen event enabled Chinese people to see more of Africas colorful and passionate art embodied in dancing and singing as well as sculpture.

Cultural exchanges are more than mutual appreciation of artifacts. Cultural exchanges also mean heart-to-heart dialogues. The African Cultural Visitors Program, initiated in 2006, has opened a window for African cultural visitors to see China at first hand. The program is widely acclaimed and successful.

Delightful progress has been made in programs in which African trainees receive professional training from Chinese artists. With Chinese artists giving help for over three years, the Cameroon National Singing and Dancing Troupe has come back to life after a hiatus of more than 20 years. Through the training courses held by Chinese artists, Eritrea has cultivated its own artists for national celebrations. African acrobats, trained in Wuqiao, Chinas home of acrobatics, wowed audiences at the African Culture in Focus and other gatherings. □