Vice-Minister Ding Wei(left) and Ottawa mayor Jim Watson (right) shake hands in Beijing on Nov 18 [Photo\Culturalink.gov.cn]
Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Culture Ding Wei met Ottawa mayor Jim Watson on Nov 18.
Ding noted that the China-Canadian relationship has been developing soundly thanks to its recent years of booming cultural exchanges. The year 2015 is the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, and the successfully launched 2015-2016 China-Canada Cultural Exchange Year has brought a series of wonderful cultural activities including "Happy Spring Festival", "Hebei Cultural Week", "Nanjing Cultural Week", and "Canada-China Cultural Dialogue".
The Canadian government hosted a food festival in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province in western China on Oct 20, 2015.[Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Watson introduced a plan that will see Ottawa, Canada's capital city, become the major place to hold a series of activities in 2017 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Canada. The city government of Ottawa invites China to hold a "Chinese Cultural Week" in Canada during the celebration.
Ding expressed the willingness to engage in the celebration which will be graced by "China Cultural Week" through a display of outstanding Chinese culture.
Vice Minister Ding also introduced the establishment and development of a China Cultural Center and expects the Ottawa government to be a strong supporter to the center that will be established in Ottawa. Watson warmly welcomed upcoming China Cultural Center and hopes the center will be established in 2017.
