COLOMBO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A five-day Chinese cultural exhibition kicked off in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo on Friday evening to celebrate the Chinese New Year and strengten the cultural ties between the two countries.

The exhibition is organized by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka and the Overseas Chinese Association. It is the third consecutive year that the Chinese New Year exhibition is being organized in the island country.

Sri Lanka's Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Champika Ranawaka speaking at the launch of the exhibition said that this year, as China celebrates the Year of the Pig, it is the ideal year to further strenghten the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China.

"Today, I wish to emphasize the importance of working together with our Asian countries on mutual beneficial trade and cultural relationships," Ranawaka said.

China's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan said the Chinese New Year cultural exhibition had within the past two years become a popular event to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Colombo.

The five-day cultural exhibition is being held at the Independence Square Arcade in Colombo and will conclude on Feb. 19.

The exhibition includes cultural performances, fireworks displays, Chinese food stalls and an exhibition of lanterns and photographs. Enditem

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