Two Chinese players perform dance at the opening ceremony of the Year of China October 6, 2003 in Paris. The ceremony marks the beginning of the one-year-long and well-rounded cultural exchanges between the two countries. [Xinhua Photo/ Chen Liqun]

The China Culture Year and the France Culture Year, held respectively in France and China during October 2003 and July 2005, as the largest Sino-foreign event since the founding of New China, sparked a new round of exchanges between the two peoples.

Since the founding of the Republic of China in 1949, China's culture exchange with the outside world has been carried out with an earnest wish of keeping peace and achieving co-progress, which was fully reflected in the "Chinese Culture Year" in France.

The concept of Culture Year was created by the leaders of the two countries during their exchange of visits in 1999 and 2000.

Chinese Culture Year provided a comprehensive picture of Chinese society and its people, through the arts, gymnastics, science and technology, education, architecture, religion and tourism.

The Chinese side organized a total of 300 programs into three parts, focusing on 60 projects, including antiques, higher education, and joint performances by the two countries' artistic troupes. Well-known film stars Gong Li and Jackie Chan served as representative envoys.

Cultural ties play a significant role in Sino-French relations. The Culture Year is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples and maintaining cultural diversity in the world.