BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a congratulatory message to a cultural exchange event that opened in South Korea on Thursday.

In the message to the opening ceremony, Hu said the event, the "Experience China in South Korea" event is the result of an important consensus he and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun reached during his visit to South Korea in November 2005.

The event is aimed at boosting cultural exchanges between China and South Korea and furthering the mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two peoples, he added.

The president said the two peoples of China and South Korea have learned a lot from each other as friendly neighbors for thousands of years.

They have "not only forged a profound friendship, but also contributed to the creation of the brilliant oriental civilizations," Hu said.

He said that the vigorous development of Sino-South Korean all-around cooperative partnership has brought concrete benefits for the two countries and peoples.

"I believe that with the two sides' concerted efforts, Sino-South Korean relations are bound to have a brighter future," Hu said.

Promoting cultural exchanges and common development of various civilizations in the world is an important way to strengthen the mutual understanding and mutual trust among different nations and races, said the president.

The event will provide an important opportunity for South Koreans to learn about China, play a positive role in promoting the long-standing friendship between the two peoples, and advance the in-depth development of an all-around cooperative partnership, Hu concluded.

Following the opening ceremony, a display of about 500 photos revealing the 14-year relations between China and South Korea since 1992 was launched at the Olympic Park in Seoul.

During the 10-day event jointly hosted by the Chinese Information Office of the State Council and South Korea's Government Information Agency, about 300 Chinese will stage a variety of performance, including traditional Chinese music, Tibet dances and martial arts performances, in Seoul.

Media and business forums will be held during the event. Enditem

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Chinese cultural festival opens in South Korea

SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The biggest-ever Chinese cultural festival, named as Experience China in South Korea 2006, opened in Seoul Thursday.

In a congratulation letter to the opening ceremony, Chinese President Hu Jintao said, "The Experience China in South Korea 2006 provides an important opportunity for the South Koreans to get close to China, experience and understand China. It will play a positive role in boosting the traditional friendship between the two peoples and promote friendly cooperation between the two nations."

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun also expressed his congratulation in a letter, in which he said South Korea will further expand friendly cooperation with China and expects the two nations could iron out differences, promote trust on the ground of mutual respect and join efforts to create common peace and prosperity. Full story <<<