Beijing hosts Moroccan cultural week

Beijing is hosting a Moroccan cultural week that coincides with a visit to China by Moroccan prime minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

Youssoufi and China's Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng on Thursday cut the ribbon marking today's opening ceremony for the Moroccan Comprehensive Art Exhibition, Chinese news agency "Xinhua" reports.

The exhibition features photographs of ancient cities, stamps, calligraphy, a model of the Koutoubia Mosque and handicrafts which reflect unique culture and customs in Morocco from different angles.

Vice Minister of Culture Pan Zhenzhou said China and Morocco have enjoyed long-term friendly and cooperative relations, and have witnessed constantly expanding cultural exchanges since the two nations forged diplomatic relations in 1958.

Pan said the exhibition will further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between people of the two nations.

The exhibition will run through December 13.

In Morocco, a Chinese cultural week was held early November, to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.