In recent years, China has actively conducted cultural exchanges
with other countries. So far, China has reached governmental
cultural agreements with 143 countries and signed 700 plans on
annual cultural exchange. Every year Ministry of Culture authorizes
2,000 cultural exchange projects with more than 60 to 70 countries
and involving about 30,000 people.?
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In 1998, China's National Orchestra made its debut at the Golden
Hall in Vienna with a performance of "Chinese Spring Festival
National Concert." The Information Office of the State Council held
the "1999 Chinese Culture Week" in Paris, "A Tour of Chinese
Culture in the United States" in 2000, and the "China Day" at the
3rd Asian-Pacific Week in Berlin in 2001. In 2002, China held
"Chinese Culture Week" in Egypt, Mexico, Panama and Belgium to
present Chinese traditional culture and the protection of world
heritage. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the
establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations, China held
"Chinese Culture Year" throughout France from October 2003 to
February 2004, in a comprehensive demonstration of China's diverse
culture, ancient and modern alongside China's present construction,
through such forms as touring performances and exhibitions. Later,
France held "French Culture Year" from autumn 2004 to summer 2005
in China, on the theme of "romance and renovation", displaying
diverse French traditional, and modern culture. "Chinese-French
Culture Year" has been the single largest cultural exchange event
since the founding of PRC, and also a glorious occasion in the
history of Sino-French exchange.?
Meanwhile, the annual Shanghai International Art Festival, the
Beijing International Music Festival and the Beijing International
Drama Festival have attracted artistes from all over the world. In
recent years, world-ranking arts groups have visited China one
after another.
Cultural exchanges with other countries have given Chinese artistes
access to the world's stage. Apart from the gold medal achievements
of Chinese acrobats in international competition, artistes from
other artistic field -- ballet dancers, vocal and instrumental
performers, for instance-- have also been carrying off many
international first prizes in recent years.