NEW DELHI: Chinese Assistant Minister of Culture Liu Yuzhu has said he looks forward to laying a strong foundation of cultural partnership with India as “the Chinese are great lovers of Indian films and television, art and crafts, and cuisine.”

He said Indian culture has had a very strong influence on China. “Given the fact that both countries have over a billion mobile phone users it is only natural that both cultures should connect through mutual synergies."

Yuzhu, who was heading a large delegation from his country, was speaking at a reception given by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here.

He invited Indian cultural stakeholders to China and also mentioned that Chinese cultural enterprises would welcome Indian markets opening up to them.

FICCI DG Arbind Prasad said, "Our two nations are both in possession of a vibrant and rich cultural heritage – we are buoyed by our indigenous wealth of visual arts, exquisite crafts, tapestries of colourful regional events based on ancient traditions of history and folklore. For FICCI, it would be of utmost importance if our two countries can come together and mutually add to our heritage and make commerce through culture first on our partnership agenda.”

The session was moderated by Teamwork Arts founder Sanjoy Roy who is also an important cultural stakeholder. He said that India and China will go furthest if they travel together. He said India is the country of focus at the forthcoming Shanghai Arts Festival.