China and France will host over 80 cultural events in the second half of this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties, said the Ministry of Culture on Tuesday.
The two countries were scheduled early this year to host more than 300 such events, ranging from art exhibitions, performances, round-table mayoral meetings, and sporting and academic competitions between high school students.
So far, nearly 90 cultural events covering music, dancing, drama, modern arts and literature have been carried out in cities in both China and France.
In the second half of this year, 80 more cultural events will be put on for the Chinese and French public such as exhibitions of artifacts from ancient Chinese dynasties and exhibitions of paintings by French artistic giants including Auguste Rodin.
There will also be multiple festivals jointly hosted by the two countries' artists, such as music concerts by the Orchestre de Paris and ballet performances by the Ballet National de Marseille.
China and France established diplomatic relations in 1964, making France the first major Western power to recognize the People's Republic of China