A five-day long Sino-Japanese cultural exchange festival started on Wednesday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

 

Japanese tourism briefing, photo shows on Japanese scenic spots, ancient buildings, traditional and modern Japanese art displays, Japanese propriety culture display and Japanese temple fair will be held during the festival, organizers said..

 

"The cultural exchange festival will enhance the understanding and relations between Chinese and Japanese peoples," said Qin Lin, President of Sichuan Provincial People's Association for friendship with foreign countries.

 

Chinese visitors could also get a glimpse of Japanese life style by watching performances of Japanese tea lore, ikebana and sumo.

 

China and Japan have enjoyed cultural exchange for more than two thousand years.

 

Chengdu hosted the first Sino-Japanese cultural exchange festival last year to mark the 20th anniversary of the sister-province relationship between Sichuan and Hiroshima of Japan.

 

The festival is held every six months and the second session was held in May.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2006)