'Cheer for China-Africa' to kick off in Pretoria
Updated: 2004-07-01

"Cheer for China-Africa: Chinese Cultural Tour of Africa", a grand cultural exchange activity between Chinese and African peoples, will kick off in Pretoria, capital of South Africa, July 13. This is another big event in the history of Chinese and African cultural exchanges after the African Cultural Tour of China this May, which is scheduled to last more than two months.

China and African countries have jointly proposed and established the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (CACF) in accordance with the principles of equal negotiation, enhancing mutual understanding, broadening common views, strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation to conform to the international situation, respond to the challenges brought by the economic globalization and promote mutual development through dialogue and cooperation. According to the CACF agreement, the forum will hold a ministerial-level meeting every two years in China and African countries. The first CACF meeting was held in the Chinese capital, Beijing, in August 2000; the second was held in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on December 15-16, 2003.

Governmental delegations of the 47-member CACF countries, headed by their ministers in charge of foreign affairs and international economic cooperation, attended the second ministerial-level meeting last December. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made an important speech at the opening ceremony and participating countries jointly released the "China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Addis Ababa Action Plan (2004-2006)", setting forth their common views on politics and important international issues, a blueprint for the next three years of cooperation, and new moves in talent cultivation and cooperation in economy, trade, culture and travel.

To further enhance the understanding and friendship between Chinese and African peoples, China made three cultural promises in the Action Plan as follows:

1. To train literary and artistic talents for African countries;
2. To hold the "Meet In China International Festival," featuring the African continent as the guest of honor in Beijing in May 2004;
3. To hold the "Cheer for China-Africa: Chinese Cultural Tour of Africa" arts festival in Africa in 2004.

Troupes from 11 African countries, including "Drumstruck" of South Africa, participated in the "Meet In Beijing" International Arts Festival in Beijing and "African Arts Festival" in Hunan Province this May. Their unique exotic performances were greatly praised by Chinese audiences.

In accordance with the promises, "Cheer for China-Africa: Chinese Cultural Tour of Africa" will be held by the Chinese Ministry of Culture in Africa from July to September 2004. A number of Chinese troupes will be invited to perform in 11 African countries respectively -- with South Africa as the first stop -- co-organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, Chinese Embassy to South Africa, Literature and Arts Ministry of South Africa and Pretoria Municipality. China will send its Hunan Song and Dance Theater, Yunnan Acrobatics Troupe and Shandong Wushu Troupe to Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban for performances respectively, and hold the "Chinese Traditional Musical Instruments Exhibition and China's World Cultural and Natural Heritages Photographing Exhibition" at the Pretoria Art Museum.

"Cheer for China-Africa: Chinese Cultural Tour of Africa" is the first event of its kind in terms of scale, multinational and comprehensive Chinese cultural activities held in Africa. It is hoped that the event will help the African people understand China's traditional, modern and diversified culture and further enhance the traditional friendship and mutual understanding between China and South Africa, as well as all African people, establishing a favorable foundation for the continuous development of China-African friendship and cooperation.

Geng Jinpei
June 10, 2004