A Year of Korea-China Cultural Exchange: An Opportunity to Restore Korea-China Cultural Relations

Minister Hwang Hee Proposes Start of Korea-China Cultural Companionship
Hu Heping, Minister of Culture and Tourism, "Strengthening Tourism Cooperation, Expanding People-to-People Exchanges"

An opportunity has been created to restore and promote cultural exchange and cooperation between Korea and China. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held the opening ceremony of the '2021-2022 Korea-China Year of Cultural Exchange' on the 15th at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, together with the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Under the theme 'Friendship Shared through Culture, Walking Together Toward the Future,' Korea-China cultural exchange ambassadors were introduced, and a congratulatory performance by Brave Girls, the Korean promotional ambassador in the TV and film sector, was held.

Minister Hwang Hee of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized, "The cultures of both countries have established themselves as industries that create high added value," and added, "Exchange and cooperation between the two countries through culture must continue." He then proposed starting Korea-China cultural companionship (文化同行) to mark a new turning point for exchange and cooperation between the two countries ahead of the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations. Hu Heping, Vice Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, representing China, said, "The 'Korea-China Year of Cultural Exchange,' agreed upon by the heads of state of both countries, reflects the shared wish of the peoples of both countries to expand exchanges and deepen mutual understanding," and added, "Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we will faithfully implement important agreements between Korea and China and successfully promote the 'Korea-China Year of Cultural Exchange'." In response to Minister Hwang’s proposal, he said, "Let us strengthen cultural exchange and tourism cooperation between the two countries and expand human exchanges to open the future of cultural exchange cooperation."

At the opening ceremony, videos involving public participation from both countries were unveiled, along with a slogan calligraphy performance by the cultural ambassadors in the traditional culture field, painter Park Daesung (Korea) and painter Han Meilin (China), and a sky lantern lighting ceremony. There was also a congratulatory performance by the Korea National Gugak Orchestra. They performed OSTs of Korea-China dramas such as 'Dae Jang Geum,' 'My Love from the Star,' 'Empress Ki,' and 'The Tale of Nokdu,' as well as a concerto featuring the traditional Chinese instrument erhu, and vocal collaborations of 'Arirang' and 'Moli Hua (茉莉花).' On the Chinese side, the China Broadcasting Film Symphony Orchestra performed the violin concerto 'Liang Zhu (梁祝),' based on the folk tale 'The Butterfly Lovers,' and the China Central Nationalities Orchestra performed traditional operas 'Gao Shan Liu Shui (高山流水)' and 'Meihua Sannong (梅花三弄),' illuminating a new path for cooperation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.