BEIJING - President Xi Jinping and French President Francois Hollande have exchanged congratulatory messages over cultural events held respectively in China and France.

In their messages, the two heads of state lauded cultural exchanges between the two countries, notably the show of the giant robot "Long Ma" or "the Dragon Horse" being held in Beijing and the forthcoming exhibition of cultural relics of China's Han Dynasty to be held in Paris.

In his message, Xi said China and France have held a series of popular events since the end of last year, which have greatly deepened the friendship between the two countries.

The "Long Ma" robot combines France's high-end technology with the Chinese nation's spirit of vigor and perseverance, which is of positive symbolic value and will be attractive to Chinese audience, he said.

Being an important part of China's history, the Han Dynasty left countless precious cultural relics featuring China's unique civilization. Therefore, the exhibition will contribute greatly to French people's understanding of the long-standing Chinese civilization, Xi said.

In his congratulatory message, Hollande extolled the events held in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations.

Hollande said the mechanical "Long Ma" is a fine piece of artwork, jointly created by a team composed of both French and Chinese personnel.

With the help of innovative technologies and elements of China's traditional culture, it is hoped that "Long Ma" will win the appreciation of Chinese audience, Hollande said.

The cultural relics exhibition will help the French people as well as people from other countries to better understand China's Han Dynasty, a once prosperous period which made great contribution to the Chinese civilization, the French president said.