TRADITIONAL CULTURE GETS POPULAR

During his visit, Premier Li stressed that both China and Latin America can, with an open mind, respect each other and facilitate exchanges and mutual learning for common progress.

During the Chinese Spring Festival season this year, artists from China brought performances to Panama City, Chile's capital city of Santiago and Brazil's Rio and Sao Paulo, featuring Kong Fu, Chinese dance and music.

Typical Chinese festival activities have gradually become part of the local cultural events in Latin America. In Sao Paulo this year, Chinese New Year events lasted two days, attracting about 100,000 people.

Ancient Chinese medicine practices are also catching much attention in Latin America. A delegation of physicians visited Colombia, Costa Rica and Chile in November.

They held their first free clinic in Bogota, capital city of Colombia, demonstrating traditional Chinese remedies, which have received excellent responses.

Besides, Qigong, the ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique, also gained its popularity in the region.