Addis Ababa, - Culture and Tourism Minister, Ambassador Mohamoud Dirir, said the cultural exchange between Ethiopia and China is getting consolidated after the downfall of the Derg regime.

Ambassador Mohamoud made the remark here yesterday at the opening ceremony of “Chinese Film Festival” to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Ethiopia and 2010 Chinese Lunar New Year (Spring Festival).   

The minister on the occasion said Ethiopia and China signed the first cultural cooperation agreement in 1988 with a view to furthering friendly relations and strengthening cultural exchanges. However, a strengthened and truly people to people and state to state cooperation between the two countries resumed to pick up momentum after the downfall of the Derg regime in 1991.

In addition to scaling up the co-operation between the two countries, the festival will help build capacity and share experiences.    

The two countries here on Wednesday signed a new Implementation Program for the cultural cooperation that will be realized in the coming four years. The agreement stipulates exchanges and cooperation in film broadcasting and organization of film weeks in each country. 

Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, GU Xiaojie, on his part said that the film festival can help the Ethiopian people to learn more about China.

To celebrate 2010 Chinese Spring Festival, the Embassy of China in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will organize a series of cultural exchange activities, among which “Chinese Film Festival” is a part. 

Senior government officials were present at the opening ceremony of the week-long film festival. 

Source ...... WIC