The China Cultural Center in Moscow holds an exhibition about the history of the Communist Party of China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Paris center hosted Chinese film festivals, which met with resounding success. Singapore's center opened an art school for local children.

"We must do more to spread Chinese culture around the world," says Zheng.

"Some provinces and cities have rich experience in international communication, so our ministry has decided to cooperate with them to establish some centers overseas."

The government of Shanghai and the ministry recently partnered to found Brussels' China Cultural Center as one of the first to operate according to this model.

Jiangsu province opened a comparable center in The Hague last month.

Beijing, Shandong province and Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, are also working to open such overseas centers.

The first China Cultural Center was established in Mauritius in 1988. But large-scale construction only began after 2000, when cultural diplomacy was emphasized as a key item on the country's agenda.

It seems the mission has not only made great progress but also shows great promise that will manifest in the years to come.

Contact the writer at wangkaihao@chinadaily.com.cn