2013 Turkish Cultural Year to begin in China

"2013 Turkish Cultural Year in China," a year-long event intended to celebrate Sino-Turkish ties, is scheduled to kick off in Beijing in March. Turkish Ambassador to China Murat Salim Esenli said at a Tuesday press conference that Turkey will make its best efforts to display its history, art, culture and tourism to Chinese people during the event. Opening ceremonies for the event will be held on March 21 in Beijing and March 25 in Shanghai, respectively. Turkish artists will perform in multiple Chinese cities as part of the event. Ministry of Culture official Hou Xianghua said the "2012 Chinese Cultural Year in Turkey" event held in Turkey last year was a success. "Holding such events is part of an agreement reached by both sides and has served to promote cultural ties and strengthen relations," Hou said.