The China Culture Month was formally inaugurated on Wednesday in celebration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar.

Main activities to be staged in the event include exhibitions of Chinese photos, paintings and films, performances of Chinese troupes and sports activities, a Chinese embassy official said.

The event is jointly sponsored by the Chinese Embassy and Myanmar ministries of culture and information.

Addressing an evening reception to mark the opening of the activities, Chinese ambassador Li Jinjun and First Secretary of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Lieutenant-General Thein Sein both praised the traditional China-Myanmar "Pauk Phaw" (fraternal) friendship and the constantly-developing bilateral good friendly cooperation in many sectors.

In his message sent on the occasion, Chinese Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng said cultural exchanges have played an irreplaceable and active role in the good-neighborly relations between the two countries, expressing belief that the activities are bound to further enhance the friendly ties and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

In their messages, Myanmar Minister of Culture Major-General Kyi Aung praised the China-Myanmar paukphaw friendship and the cultural exchanges between the two countries, and Myanmar Minister of Information Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan expressed the belief that through joint efforts, the two countries will make further progress in their cooperation in information and culture sectors.

Some 500 people attended the reception and the opening of the China Culture Month activities.
 
(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2005)