China and Greece signed here Monday the Protocol of Cultural
Exchanges for 2007-2010.
Sharing grand ancient civilizations and rich cultural heritage,
both countries will increase cooperation in the protection of
cultural relics as well as exchanges in fine art, theater, cinema,
music and traditional culture, according to the protocol.
Greek Culture Minister
Michalis Liapis (L) and Chinese Vice Minister of Culture Zhao
Weisui sign a 2007-2010 cultural exchange plan in Athens, Greece,
Dec. 3, 2007. According the plan, China and Greece will develop
communication and cooperation in the fields of art, film, music
etc.
Zhao Weisui, China's Vice Minister of Culture, said the protocol
is the first bilateral cultural exchange agreement after the two
countries decided to set up a strategic partnership in 2006.
"The Cultural Year of Greece, started this October in Beijing,
gave a chance to the Chinese people to know splendid ancient Greek
civilization as well as the modern Greece," said Zhao.
Greek Minister of Culture Mihalis Liapis expressed his thanks to
the Chinese government for holding the Greek cultural year on the
eve of the Beijing Olympic Games, which are to be held in August,
2008.
The two ministers also showed their readiness to cooperate in
the prevention of theft, illegal imports, exports and the transfer
of cultural properties and works of art.
Greek Culture Minister
Michalis Liapis (L) shakes hands with Chinese Vice Minister of
Culture Zhao Weisui after signing the 2007-2010 cultural exchange
plan in Athens, Greece, Dec. 3, 2007. According the plan, China and
Greece will develop communication and cooperation in the fields of
art, film, music etc.
(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2007)
