China–Latin America and Caribbean Year of Culture Exchange

This year-long event is organized by China’s Ministry of Culture and presented by China Arts and Entertainment Group, featuring the countries’ traditional culture and modern developments in the areas of art, literature, relics, film, media and tourism in the forms of performances, exhibitions, seminars, film screenings, gourmet tasting and tourism promotion, with mainly inbound events in the first half of year and outbound events in the second half, and has become the largest cultural program ever held by China and Latin America and Caribbean regions since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.

The China–Latin America and Caribbean Year of Culture Exchange officially opened on March 24 at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, participated by more than 200 artists and staff from China and more than 10 Latin American and Caribbean countries.  Up to 20 Latin American and Caribbean envoys have attended the opening ceremony.

Major events held in China in the first half of the year also included the Latin American and Caribbean Music Festival, Film Festival and Food Festival. Outbound events in the second half of the year included Lang Lang’s Recitals in Argentina and Chile, China National Traditional Orchestra’s Rediscover Chinese Music tour in Colombia and Mexico, and Chinese delegation to the Mercado de Industrias Culturales del Sur (MICSUR).

The official website of the China-Latin America and Caribbean Year of Culture Exchange has three language versions, namely Chinese, English and Spanish. Its Wechat, Facebook, and Twitter accounts are updated regularly, and have become an important channel for its image building and news release.

China-Egypt Cultural Year — Two Great Civilizations: Dialogue

The Chinese Ministry of Culture and its Egyptian partners jointly hosted the China-Egypt Cultural Year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic ties.

Chinese and Egyptian performers highlighted their ancient yet unique cultures on stage at a square of the 3,400-year-old Luxor Temple. The performance displayed the grand exchange and dialogue between the two ancient civilizations through time and space.

Luxor Temple is a symbol of the splendid ancient civilization of Egypt. This was the first time the opening performance has been held at the Luxor Temple, demonstrating the great courtesy given by the Egyptian government and people to the Chinese leaders and their profound feelings toward the Chinese people.

The culture ministers of the two countries started the Culture Year with a special ceremony called "China Red Illuminates Luxor Temple". After the performance, the two heads of state cordially met with Chinese and Egyptian artists and congratulated them. The successful opening of the China-Egypt Cultural Year has opened a brilliant chapter for the history of China-Egypt friendship.

The Year of China in Russia and the Year of Russia in China

The Year of China in Russia and the Year of Russia in China are intended to deepen the countries’ friendship and promote the China-Russia strategic and cooperative partnership.

Both “Years” are comprehensive events which have received significant attention in China and Russia.

Connotations of the logo: the pattern depicts a panda, representing China, and a brown bear, representing Russia, dressed in their respective flags. Theme words are written on the logo in both languages.

Activities organized by CAEG were shown at the opening ceremony of The Year of Russia in China held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing of China on Mar 21, 2006, and those for The Year of China were shown at the Kremlin.