Cultural exchange between China and Europe has been enhanced in recent years with the concerted efforts of both sides, becoming more active and seeing fruitful results.

Chinese Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng made the remarks here Friday at the opening of the International Cultural Forum Beijing 2004, which is co-organized by the China International Cultural Association (CICA) and the Europe-based Bertelsmann Foundation.

The two-day forum, with the aim of promoting cultural dialogue between China and Europe, will invite nearly 100 representatives from cultural, commercial and political circles to hold discussions on issues of common concern, such as the Chinese and European cultures against globalization, multinationals and cultural diversity.

As Sun said at the opening ceremony, China-Europe cultural cooperation has broad space and bright future, as China and Europe have established a comprehensive strategic partnership. Currently, China and Europe have become the second largest trade partners and tourist destination of each other.

In recent years, China has signed agreements or plans in the cultural sector with 15 members of the European Union, and culture ministers and officials from the European side also frequently visited China.

Liz Mohn, vice-president of the Executive Board and Board of Trustees of the Bertelsmann Foundation, said the forum, with the theme of "Cultural Diversity- Learning from Each Other, Acting Together", is designed to boost China-Europe relations by raising proposals on cultural exchange and cooperation.

According to the organizers, the CICA is a non-profit organization dedicated to non-governmental cultural exchange under the Ministry of Culture. And the Bertelsmann Foundation, as one of the largest European foundations set up by an enterprise, has been dedicated to social welfare over the past 25 years.
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2004)