A series of African art performances and exhibitions will be staged in Beijing during the third ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in November, said a Ministry of Culture (MOC) official on Wednesday.

 

"The MOC has invited six African art organizations to stage performances or put on shows before and during the forum, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold an exhibition of African currencies and stamps," said MOC official Yu Peng at Wednesday's press conference.

 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and African countries.

 

The third ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum will be held from November 3-5 in Beijing. The summit will focus on "friendship, peace, cooperation and development."

 

Yu said cultural exchanges and cooperation have become an important part of Sino-African relations and have promoted mutual friendship.

 

To date, China has signed 156 cultural cooperation contracts with African countries, and more than 50 cultural groups representing the Chinese government have visited Africa. Over 170 African state cultural troupes have visited China.

 

Both China and African governments have provided great support for cultural exchanges, Yu said, adding that China has organized training courses on acrobatics, dancing, cultural relics, museums, eurythmics and martial arts in China and Africa.

 

The Chinese government's three Chinese cultural centers in Africa have played a key role in promoting Sino-African cultural exchanges.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2006)