Peace loving Australia and China are deepening cultural understanding by holding a mutual event in each other's country. While the Year of Australian Culture is underway in China, the Year of Chinese Culture is about to open in Australia. Let's drop in on Thursday's launch party.

Peace loving Australia and China are deepening cultural understanding by holding a mutual event in each other's country. While the Year of Australian Culture is underway in China, the Year of Chinese Culture is about to open in Australia.

The Chinese Embassy in Australia, decorated with red lanterns, Chinese knots, and balloons, witnessed the launch of the Year of Chinese Culture.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Chen Yuming, along with senior officials from the Australian Ministry of Art and Law lit up the crystal ball, marking the official start of the event preparations.

Peace loving Australia and China are deepening cultural understanding by holding a mutual event in each other's country. While the Year of Australian Culture is underway in China, the Year of Chinese Culture is about to open in Australia.

Artists from central China's Hubei province put on a performance featuring ancient musical traditions of the province.

Peace loving Australia and China are deepening cultural understanding by holding a mutual event in each other's country. While the Year of Australian Culture is underway in China, the Year of Chinese Culture is about to open in Australia.

Peace loving Australia and China are deepening cultural understanding by holding a mutual event in each other's country. While the Year of Australian Culture is underway in China, the Year of Chinese Culture is about to open in Australia.

The mutual culture year responds to a memorandum signed by the two countries in March of 2010. Now the Australian Culture Year with a theme called "Imagine" has opened in China. While the China Culture Year will open later in June. It entails some 300 art performances and exhibitions to be held by China's diverse cultural institutions and art troupes.