Xi, Hollande write preface for Chinese relics exhibition

PARIS - Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Francois Hollande have written a preface for an ongoing Chinese cultural relics exhibition in France, part of the two countries' celebration of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.

"The Splendor of the Han Dynasty, the Rise of the Celestial Empire," co-hosted by China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage and France's Musee National des Arts asiatiques Guimet, has been the largest show of China's cultural relics in France since 2003, displaying over 450 precious pieces of art work from 27 museums of China's nine provinces.

As one of the two guardians of the show, Xi said the exhibition, an important part of all the cultural events held by the two countries this year, aims to facilitate the understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

The exhibits, Xi said, present the colorful life of the Chinese Han Dynasty, which spanned over some 400 years from 206 BC, creating splendid achievements of civilization and wisdom.

The Chinese leader noted that the precious cultural heritage could give audience in France and other European countries a more vivid picture of the development of the Chinese civilization.

Quoting the ancient Chinese thinker Mencius 2000 years ago as saying that "it is an objective fact that all things are different from one another," Xi pointed out that the enhancement of cultural exchanges of the two nations, both representing Eastern and Western civilizations, would consolidate public support for developing bilateral relations, improve the two culture and forge diversified global civilizations.

For his part, Hollande, the other guardian of the show, said it's a common aspiration of the top leaders of France and China, a nation with great civilization, to co-host the event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship.

He said that fine exhibits from five French museums and magnum opus of France's Impressionism will be put on display in China for a year.

"These events offer opportunities for the two countries to improve the quality and vitality of our exchanges" in such areas as culture, tourism, economics and education, he noted.