Chinese President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart George W. Bush hailed the opening of the Festival of China in Washington on Saturday, saying the event will further promote mutual understanding, cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

The Chinese president said in his message that "It is a great pleasure for me to express, on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China, my sincere congratulations on the Festival of China to be opened in October in Washington, D.C.."

"Culture is a window reflecting the history, culture and spiritual world of a nation," Hu said. "Cultural exchange is a bridge to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the people of different nations."

The Chinese president expressed his belief that the Festival ofChina, in a variety of artistic forms, is conducive to deepening the understanding of China by American audience, to promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two great nations of China and the United States.

"I hereby would like to express my appreciations to the KennedyCenter for its great efforts in staging this event, and to all those who have contributed to conducting the activity," he said. "I sincerely wish the Festival of China a great success."

President Bush and his wife Laura Bush sent their warm greetings to the people attending the Festival of China at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

"This historic festival is a wonderful opportunity for Chinese and Chinese-American artists to share their talents and celebrate their magnificent heritage," they said. "Through music, dance, visual arts, traditional crafts, opera, theater, and even fireworks, the artists will capture the diversity and richness of the human experience and enhance the spirit of understanding and respect between our countries."

"We appreciate the efforts of all those involved in making thisevent a success. Our special thanks go to the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China for helping to bring this exciting festival to America and for strengthening the bonds of cooperation and friendship between America and China," they added.

Under the US auspices, the month-long festival will be the largest ever featuring Chinese arts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which is also one of the best known institutions for culture and arts across the world.

More than 900 Chinese and Chinese-American artists are staging their best to American audience in more than 30 traditional and modern art performances.

Source: Xinhua