ARVAIKHEER, Mongolia, May 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese culture and tourism festival kicked off in Arvaikheer, the capital city of the central Mongolian province of Uvurkhangai, on Monday.
The festival is co-organized by the provincial governor's office, the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, and the Chinese Cultural Center in Ulan Bator.
"We all are very happy that the event is being organized in our province," Gochoo Ganbold, mayor of Uvurkhangai province, said at the opening ceremony.
He noted that the festival is a great opportunity to promote the province's social and economic development by strengthening tourism ties and cooperation with China.
"We are organizing the festival to expand cultural and tourism exchanges between our two countries," said Li Wei, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mongolia, she said, expressing her hope that the festival will help strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
During the three-day festival, several activities including a photo exhibition titled "Beautiful China," a donation of Chinese books to a children's library in the province, and Chinese cultural performances will be held in Arvaikheer and the province's two soums.
