In the Turkish capital of Ankara, an "Experience China in Turkey" event drawing to a close this week has offered the Turkish people a taste of Chinese culture.

In the eastern Chinese metropolis of Shanghai, the national pavillion of Turkey at the Expo 2010 is expected to attract more than seven million visitors by the end of Expo on Oct. 31, the majority of them Chinese.

The two events offered precious opportunities for exchanges between the Chinese and Turkish people.

The "Experience China in Turkey" event kicked off on Oct. 17 with the support of the governments of the two nations. Nearly 100 artists, writers, academics and journalists from China participated in, among other things, political and economic forums, exchanges between journalists and writers, movie and television weeks, and Chinese food and cuisine.

The exchanges and dialogues are helping Turkish people better know the color of contemporary China.

The Turkish Pavillon at Shanghai Expo, with its theme of "the Cradle of Civilization," looks like an amazing red and beige box that rolls out the Sino-Turkey history of bilateral exchanges.

The significance of ancient China and Turkey to the history of cultural exchanges is celebrated at the Turkish Pavilion. There is the silk thread symbolizing the "Silk Road," the fine Turkish ceramics and the Turkish animal calendar and the Chinese calendar side by side on display.

Chinese and Turkish cultures have been interacting with each other since the "Silk Road", dating back to over a thousand years ago.

The "Experience China in Turkey" event and Turkey's participation in the Expo in Shanghai also link the two countries now, helping the two people better know each other and facilitate cultural exchanges.

"Diversity is one of the characteristics of the world culture. We have a bright world just because we have a colorful culture," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said during a recent visit to Turkey.

Only by respecting cultural diversity could the human civilization thrive and prosper. This explains the importance of the cultural exchanges between China and Turkey.

Cultural exchanges play an important role in China-Turkey relations. On top of the new Silk Road in trade and economics, we also expect a new Silk Road in terms of culture to boost the bilateral ties.