Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday praised the organization of the festival "Culture Scapes - China," which opens Friday in the Swiss city of Basel and marked by events in 18 cities in Switzerland to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China.
"On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China, I am very happy to hear the upcoming opening of the event called Culture Scapes - China will be in Switzerland. On behalf of the Government China and the Chinese people, I extend my warmest congratulations for organizing this cultural event, "said the Chinese president in a letter of congratulations.
"Switzerland is among the first Western countries that recognized the People's Republic of China and established diplomatic relations with new China," he said.
"Sixty years have passed, bilateral relations have developed in a global cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, science and technology has been fruitful exchanges of personnel between the two countries have become increasingly active and friendship between the two peoples has deepened, "said Hu.
The Chinese people attach a great importance to its friendship with the Swiss people and China is ready to deepen cooperation with Switzerland in the fields of politics, economy, trade, science and technology and culture, said the Chinese president.
China will work with Switzerland to promote the construction of a world that promotes harmonious sustainable peace and common prosperity, Hu said.
Cultural creativity is a great work of man's cultural progress, cultural exchanges are important forces that drive human culture. Culture Scapes - - China, the largest cultural event since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, will present the Swiss people the richness and diversity of the old Chinese traditional culture and modern Chinese art Through various forms of art, namely music, theater, architecture, dance, literature and cinema, said Hu.
According to him, "Culture Scapes - China" will allow Chinese people to better understand the specific culture that the Swiss people has developed.
The Chinese president also hoped that this event is dedicated to further promote cultural exchanges between Switzerland and China, and the understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
The arts festival "Culture scapes" founded in 2003 has its headquarters in Basel. Each year in November and December, a country is invited to present his art and culture. This year, China is the country of honor.

