A 7-day China Festival kicked off Monday at the Birendra International Convention Center in Kathmandu in a bid to promote the cultural exchange and economic cooperation between China and Nepal.

The festival is jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy to Nepal and the World Cultural Net of Nepal.

China International Book Trading Corporation,Yunnan Acrobatic Troupe, Shandong Weifang Kite Art Troupe and dozens of companies from both countries are participating in the festival, the largest scale of its kind in the Himalayan kingdom since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1955.

The programs of the festival will include Chinese acrobatic show, kite festival, Chinese film week, Chinese photo exhibition, Chinese book fair, Chinese handicraft exhibition and Chinese products exhibition fair.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a message to the festival, saying he hopes the festival will "erect a bridge for the two peoples' promotion of their understanding and friendship."

At the opening ceremony of the festival, Nepali Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa said,"The festival is a milestone in enhancing the friendship between Nepal and China to new heights, especially in the culture, economic and tourism sectors."

He hoped the festival will contribute significantly to the promotion of cultural exchange and economic cooperation between the two neighbors.

On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Congyong said, "The Chinese government will continue to support the Nepali government's efforts in promoting peace and development in its country, because the long-term stable Sino-Nepal friendship will be benefit to both countries and conducive to the whole South Asia region at large."

Extending the vote of thanks, President of World Cultural Net Deepak Sarkar said that the festival would help enhance the people-to-people relations between Nepal and China.

Nepali Crown Prince Paras inaugurated the China Festival 2003 at the Birendra International Convention Center.

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China Festival 2003