Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Ma Zhanwu today advocated greater exchanges in the fields of culture, education and other areas to promote mutual understanding.
Cultural exchanges between India and China have huge potential and it will pave the way for more mutually beneficial treaties and cooperation, Zhanwu said while addressing a cultural programme 'China-India Joint Artistic Performance' here,
"This cultural potential should be tapped to further develop the mutual understanding, friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between two great nations," he said.
There is a lot of common ground between Chinese and Indian cultures as projected in today's programme which showed how the Chinese appreciated Indian culture and vice-versa, the diplomat said.
"Tonight we are very happy we have the artistes group from Yunnan province. Yunnan is a province just two hours away in air travel from Kolkata. It has a rich culture having many ethnic minority groups living there," he said.
The dance group from Yunnan presented a beautifully choreographed flower-themed show in the evening before an audience of locals, Chinese guests and representatives from a number of consulates in Kolkata.
Indian singer Usha Uthup also performed at the programme.
Later talking to reporters, Zhanwu said in the coming weeks the Chinese consulate will hold a Chinese film festival in the eastern region where seven popular films from China would be screened with sub-titles.
There will also be a workshop on centuries-old Chinese paper cutting craft, he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)