China for more cultural exchanges, says Consul General Wang Xuefeng

KOLKATA: More cultural exchange between India and China would bring people closer to each other, a senior official of the Chinese government said here today.

"We strongly believe that the more we enhance the cultural exchange, the closer will be the friendship between our people," Consul General of China in Kolkata Wang Xuefeng said during the showcasing of a film at the ongoing Chinese Film Festival here today.

Referring to the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping's India visit in September as a "successful" one, Xuefeng said among the various agreements signed between the two governments, the most important is the one to enhance the people-to-people relation.

"In 2015 India would host a tourism fair in China while there would be one in India on Chinese tourism in 2016. So more cultural exchange will push the India-China relations to greater heights," he pointed out.

Ten films would be screened at the Chinese Film Festival, being hosted at nine venues in the city from December 4 to December 21.

"The purpose of this film festival is to improve the mutual understanding because film is the tool to bridge the gap. Films have helped our people to know the culture, the history of India as well as the life and language of the Indian people," Xuefeng said.

Recalling how the songs of the Raj Kapoor-Nargis starer film "Awara" were popular in China the Consul General said: "During the 1960s, 70s there were several Indian movies which were popular in China. I still remember one Awara... It was so popular that time. Songs of this movie are on the lips of many Chinese till today."

Incidentally, China was the partner country in the recently-concluded 45th International Film Festival of India held in Goa last month.