A series of cultural activities showcasing modern China will be staged in Tunisia and five other north African countries in latter half of this year, the largest cultural gala ever held by China in north Africa.

At a press conference held here Thursday, Wang Yansheng, an official with the Ministry of Culture, said several Chinese art and cultural delegations composed of 180 artists and cultural officials, will present colorful performances and exhibitions to audiences in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania and the Sudan.

Wang said the gala will be proceeded in five stages featuring the cultures of three Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu and Sichuan, as well as Shenzhen City. "Guangdong Cultural Week," launched in Tunis on July 20 kicked off the gala, to be followed by "Jiangsu Cultural Week" from later August to earlier September in Morocco and Tunisia. During the period, an acrobatics troupe from Sichuan will give performances respectively in Egypt, the Sudan and Mauritania.

From later September to earlier October, piano and acrobatics performances by Shenzhen cultural delegations will be held in Algeria and Egypt, and a calligraphy show spotlighting the Islamic culture in China will be given in December as conclusion.

Experts said the six developing Arabian countries have maintained long-term friendly cooperation with China in diplomatic,energy and economic fields. Strengthening cultural ties between China and these countries will not only enhance cooperation between China and Africa, but also push forward friendly relations between China and the Arab world.

Wang Yansheng said China always attached great importance to cultural exchanges with north African countries. However, due to some economic and geographic reasons, there were few chances for the two sides to make frequent culture exchanges. He expressed his hope to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and north African peoples through cultural dialogues.

Source: Xinhua