Diplomats stationed in China gained new insight into the country's rich and diverse cultures as the opening ceremony of "The 2009 Diplomatic Chinese Cultural Exchange" kicked off Thursday in Beijing.

Kuwaiti ambassador to China Faisal Rashed Al-Ghais delivers a speech.

Organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the scheduled events will host senior-level diplomats and ambassadors from over 60 countries across the world beginning July 16.

Themed as "Introducing Chinese Culture to the World," the event gives a chance for foreign ambassadors to experience Chinese culture through various scheduled activities, including forest ecotourism in Yichun, Heilongjiang Province, Chinese tea appreciation in Fuding, Fujian Province, revolutionary heritage tourism and Chinese culinary tourism.

"We hope that through cultural exchange like this we can provide people from different countries with a chance to gain a better understanding of China's diversified and colorful culture," said Xing Jun, secretary general of the event's organizing committee.

Also on the same day as the openning ceremony, "Exploring China's Best Ecotourism Destinations" was held, beginning with the Forest Ecotourism Festival in Yichun. A diplomatic delegation comprised of 100 people from over 40 countries will visit the city from July 16 to July 19.

This cultural exchange has already been held for several years.

Editor: Feng Hui