[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Protocol on Cooperation in the Field of Culture between the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia for the period of 2016-2019 was signed on November 3, 2015 in Beijing, setting a new foundation for the future progress in cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Mikheil Giorgadze, Minister of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia, signed the protocol on behalf of the Georgian government. This is his first visit to China, and he spoke to chinadaily.com.cn reporter to share his perspectives on the prospects of China-Georgia cultural exchanges.

Q: Have you visited any tourist attractions here in Beijing?

A: I am overwhelmed by the impression I got from the National Museum of China, an absolutely fantastic museum, I'm not just saying this for the sake of making a compliment, it is one of the best museums I have ever seen in my life.

Q: Friendship between China and Georgia can be traced back more than 2,000 years to the ancient Silk Road which bound the countries together. How do you see the current status of the China-Georgia relationship?

A: Georgia, due to its geographic location, is a natural connection between East and West, and there is a huge number of unique cultural heritage objects and relics of Chinese origin preserved in different Georgian museums. Georgia has always been an integral part of the ancient Silk Road, so there is a very natural bond between China and Georgia, and I believe that the signing of the protocol of cultural cooperation between our two countries will be the new beginning of a deepening cultural relationship between our two countries. The vice minister visited China last year in October where the preliminary negotiations were held between our ministers based on which this protocol was prepared. So I believe the main purpose of the ministries is to create very solid base , the platform for the cultural sector, cultural institutions in our countries to establish direct contact, which will result in far better understanding of each other by our people, when you understand the culture of each other, you get to know the other nation better. It means there is more trust, and where there is trust, there is room for friendship for cooperation.