国内英语新闻:Chinese Culture Minister meets Japanese, South Korean counterparts in Nara, Japan

NARA, Japan, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Culture Minister Cai Wu met with Seiichi Kondo, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs of Japan, Yu In-Chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea on Tuesday in Japan's Nara for the 3rd China-Japan- South Korea Ministerial Conference on Culture.

The officials exchanged views on China-Japan, China-South Korea bilateral cultural exchanges and cooperation.

During the meeting with Kondo, Cai said that the scale and number of China-Japan cultural exchanges rank the first in international cultural exchanges in China and China is willing to develop the bilateral relations on a strategic and long-term point of view.

China will enhance the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries through cultural exchanges and cooperation, he added.

This year, the Chinese Ministry of Culture, with the joint efforts of the two countries' concerned departments, will hold China-Japan "Animation Festival" as well as "Television Week."

Seiichi Kondo agreed with Cai's comments on China-Japan cultural exchanges and cooperation and added that although China and Japan experienced some political twists and turns, Japan always attaches great importance to and actively promote the bilateral cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Japan is willing to work hand-in-glove with China in regional cooperation and contribute to improving the bilateral relationship, the Japanese official said.

During the meeting with Yu In-Chon, Cai said that with the joint efforts of the leaders and different circles from both countries, China-South Korea cultural exchanges have become an important part of the bilateral strategic partnership.

The South Korean minister said the width and depth of cultural exchanges have been expanded year by year. In recent years, the two countries have learned from each other in the fields of culture and art, performance and exhibition, cultural relics reservation, and intangible cultural heritage.

Yu In-Chon said he fully agrees with Cai's comments and prospects on China-South Korea bilateral cultural exchanges and cooperation and is willing to work with China to actively promote personnel exchanges, exchanges of troupe performances, and exchanges programs for the youth, in order to deepen the understanding and enhance the feelings between the two peoples.

The 3rd China-Japan-South Korea Ministerial Conference on Culture will be officially held on Wednesday.