"African Cultures in Focus 2012" kicked off in Beijing on May 25, 2012 (PHOTO BY JIANG XIAOYING)

"African Cultures in Focus 2012," an event jointly organized by seven Chinese government agencies, kicked off o n the morning of May 25, 2012, in Beijing inside the National Museum of China.

The seven Chinese government agencies include the Ministry of Culture (MOC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

During this year's eight-month-long event running from May to December, government delegations, performing troupes and cultural representatives from 42 African countries, will be traveling to China to tour over 10 cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Nanjing, and Yinchuan, according to event organizers.

"The activities of 'African Cultures in Focus' showcase the charm of African cultural heritage," says Zhao Shaohua, the Vice Minister of the MOC. "They will not only deepen China-Africa ties, but also promote equal dialogue between two civilizations."

One highlight of the event this year is "the First China-Africa Ministers of Culture Forum." Held in June, its aim is to further promote cultural exchanges between China and Africa. Another highlight is "African Culture on the Chinese Campus," to be jointly held this September by MOC, ChinAfrica and Peking University. It will provide an opportunity for more Chinese youth to learn about African cultures.

Visiters attended China-Africa Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation Exhibition on May 25, 2012 (PHOTO BY JIANG XIAOYING)

Sedozan Apithy, Ambassador of Benin to China, appreciates the creative slant of the events. "Through cultural exchanges and sharing of beautiful things, we can step out of our small world to embrace a bigger world," he says. "The significance of hosting these activities is to promote mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence between Chinese and African peoples."

Apithy hopes that Chinese people can learn about all aspects of African culture through the events. He also expects more Chinese to visit Africa, where they may experience the culture firsthand.

Both Zhao Shaohua and Sedozan Apithy gave speeches at the opening ceremony for this year's "African Cultures in Focus." Together, they cut the ceremonial ribbon alongside the event's organizers and ambassadors to China from Togo and Tanzania.

"African Cultures in Focus" and "Chinese Culture in Focus" events happen in alternate years. Having now been held several times, they include increasingly large numbers of participants and diverse areas of discussion. As a brand and platform for cultural exchange between China and Africa, the events' significance grows with every year.