(Beijing, 20 May 2013) The first Forum on Cultural Cooperation between China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries was held from 13 to 19 May 2013 in Beijing and Shenzhen. The delegation of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia was led by minister Bratislav Petković.

During his stay in Beijing (13-16 May) minister B. Petković had a bilateral meeting with the minister of culture of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Cai Wu on the 13 May 2013, when a Programme of Cooperation in the Areas of Culture and Art between the Ministry of Culture and Information of Serbia and Ministry of Culture of China for the period 2013-2016 was signed.

The Forum expressed willingness to enhance cooperation and exchanges in the fields of culture and adopted the Guidelines for the development of cultural cooperation between China and CEE countries, which expressed the intention of all parties to further improve cultural cooperation.

During the Forum, a retrospective exhibition of cultural exchange between China and CEE was opened at the National Museum of China, where were, among others, exhibited photographs and publications that show long-lasting and fruitful cooperation between China and Serbia.

Delegation of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Serbia has also visited Shenzhen (16-19 May), and participated in a Forum on international marketing of products and projects in the field of culture.