Xie Jinying, director of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Chinese Culture Ministry, speaks at a news conference on "China Today – Cooperation, Friendship and Win-Win", in Beijing, Feb 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

In the lead up to the 45th anniversary of China-Germany diplomatic ties, activities including Chinese folk music concerts, temple fairs, heritage exhibitions, fireworks and light shows, have been held in Germany.

In the coming months, more than 80 cultural activities will be staged in both China and Germany, including music, drama, dance, creative design, literature, film and other arts. It's part of a cultural series titled "China Today – Cooperation, Friendship and Win-Win", Xie Jinying, director of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Chinese Culture Ministry, said at a news conference on Wednesday.

More than 50 institutes and organizations from both countries will participate.

"We believe that the China Today activities will help enhance German people's understanding of the status quo of China's social development, deepen the friendship between the two peoples and promote further communications between the two sides in the future," Xie said.

Highlights of the year-long program includes an exhibition of portrait paintings in China's Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911), the overseas premiere of the National Ballet of China's grand show The Crane Calling, and literature and movie displays of acclaimed Chinese writer Liu Zhenyun's works.