The fast development of China's cultural industry brings increasing opportunities for cultural cooperation, said cultural ministers from many foreign countries, who were attending a cultural fair in the South China city.

The on-going China international cultural industry fair held in Shenzhen attracted a number of cultural ministers from Asian and Latin American countries and 1,500 domestic and overseas exhibitors.

Venezuelan Cultural Minister Francisco Sesto Novis said the four-day cultural fair included modern architecture art and traditional folk art shows.

He said Venezuela hopes to conduct cooperation with China in such areas as movie, TV, broadcasting, drama and acrobatics. He will also visit some local musical instrument making industries, and plans to introduce more China-making musical instruments to Venezuela.

Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia Sisovat Panara Sirivudh said since there are many overseas Chinese in Cambodia, the historical background and traditional customs of Cambodia and China have laid good foundation for cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Cambodia will hold several exhibitions on Chinese handicrafts this year, and a series of cultural activities full of Chinese Lunar New Year characteristics are in preparation, he said.

Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Kim Myong Gon signed exchange agreements with the Chinese National Copyright Administration, which will further promote bilateral cooperation in copyright protection.

He said the Chinese government enacted some laws and regulations on copyright in recent years and the ROK government is also working hard to develop new technology to strengthen copyright protection. The two countries can learn each other's advanced experience in this regard, in addition to information and personnel exchanges.

Minister of Arts and Culture of Mauritius Mahendra Gowressoo said he is considering holding similar cultural fair in Mauritius to develop its own cultural industry. Mauritius will apply to be an exhibitor of the next cultural industry fair to promote its culture and tourism to the Chinese people.

Minister of Culture of Serbia Dragan Kojadinovic said some good Serbian movies have been introduced to China over the past years, and he hopes the fair can help film lovers of the two countries enjoy more good films from each other.
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2006)