Chinese Culture House in Argentina opens to boost bilateral exchange
By admin on 2015-06-15

BUENOS AIRES, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's first Chinese Culture House opened Thursday in the capital Buenos Aires, with a photographic exhibition called "The Charm of Beijing."

China's ambassador to Argentina, Yang Wanming, who presided over the opening ceremony, said he was "very pleased to have the opportunity to share this encounter at the culture house."

The house, situated at 100 Callao Avenue, two blocks from Argentina's Congress, forms part of the University of Congress.

It is a natural extension of the "excellent" comprehensive strategic partnership between Argentina and China, Yang said.

"Our two presidents have exchanged state visits, and political ties have been enhanced" with a cultural dimension, said Yang.

"The cultural exchange is a very important part of the relationship between Argentina and China. We have to make a greater effort so the two countries can learn more about each other," said Yang.

Alejandro Razzotti, who heads the culture house, said it was "very important to cement, consolidate and strengthen economic and political activities with cultural endeavors," such as the opening of the house.

The rector of the university, Francisco Pinon, shared the sentiment, saying "Argentina and China have signed agreements, they are moving toward a strategic partnership, they are thinking about a joint future. Truth is that for (ties) to be solid, permanent, sustainable, they have to build a strong cultural link."

Also attending the ceremony was Guillermo Carmona, head of the Chamber of Deputies' Foreign Relations Committee.

The inaugural exhibition, which will be open to the public from June 15 to July 16, on Mondays and Thursdays, features Beijing landmarks and landscapes, and conveys China's strong tradition of preserving age-old customs.

The culture house displays Chinese cultural icons, including typical dresses, writing utensils, books and magazines, and even a full traditional tea ceremony.

"The exchange and dialogue between literary and artistic circles in China and Latin America will not only help bolster heart-to-heart communication between the two peoples, but also establish a solid foundation of popular opinion on which to build and expand pragmatic cooperation," Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a symposium in Colombia during his four-nation tour of Latin America last month.

The house joins other organizations in Buenos Aires that reflect the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two distant nations, including the China-Argentina Cultural Association, the Confucius Institute and the first Chinese-Argentinian public school.

Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri, a potential presidential contender in October elections, said during the school's opening in March 2014, "we are taking a unique and historic step for public education."