A seven-day China Festival kicked off Wednesday at the Birendra International Convention Center in Kathmandu to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China.

The festival is jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy to Nepal and World Cultural Net, a non-governmental organization in the kingdom working in the field of cultural exchanges.

Display of Chinese goods, movies, pictures, books, handicrafts as well as culture, Chinese food and film festival are the major attractions of the event.

At the opening ceremony of the festival, which was inaugurated by Nepali Crown Prince Paras and Crown Princess Himani, the Heilongjiang Art Troupe performed excellent songs, dances and acrobatics.

Speaking on the occasion, Nepali Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Buddhi Raj Bajracharya said, "Such programs on cultural exchanges are making great contribution to Nepal-China friendship."

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Sun Heping said, "China Festival is creating a fresh avenue for the bilateral exchange in culture."

A 70-member delegation from China including the Art Troupe of the People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of the Tibet Autonomous Region is participating in the festival, which will be held in Pokhara, a famous tourist city in western Nepal, from next Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua