The 2013 Germany China Tibetan Culture Week served as a platform through which the German people could take a closer look at Tibet's development and its traditional culture, offering new momentum for China-Germany and China-EU cultural exchange, a senior Chinese official said Tuesday.

As the culture week concluded here on Tuesday, Cui Yuying, deputy director of the State Council Information Office of China, said the event deepened the strategic partnership between China and Germany as cultural exchange plays a key role in promoting strategic trust and pragmatic cooperation.

The culture week, the first of its kind held in Germany, featured an exhibition of more than 300 photos taken by Chinese and foreign photographers and over 50 Tibetan Thangka paintings, local customs performances, as well as Tibet-themed book exhibitions. More than one thousand local people visited the exhibitions, according to the exhibitor.

The week-long event also featured folk song and dance performances in Berlin and Munich, and a series of seminars and discussions between Tibetologists and the locals.

Cui, who heads the cultural exchange delegation, said various activities in the culture week showcased an open and harmonious Tibet that is united and progressive, while the development in Tibet reflects the prosperity and progress that China has achieved.

Folk song and dance performances and local customs performances during the culture week offered local audience an opportunity to take a closer look at the authentic lifestyle of the Tibetan people, Cui said, adding that such details may attract local people to explore the rich Tibetan culture.

On the seminars and discussions between Tibetologists and local academic elite, she said their in-depth exchange touched upon extensive topics.

"Both the two Tibetologists in the delegation have international studies background, while many German experts have long studied Chinese culture," Cui said. "Their academic exchange is helpful in fostering common subjects and promoting bilateral academic cooperation."

Cui added that more Tibet-themed cultural exchanges between China and Germany is conducive to deepening the EU's understanding of the development in Tibet, as China-Germany ties serve as a "front-runner" in China-EU relations.

"Cultural exchange goes both ways," Cui said. "I hope the culture week serves as a bridge that enables German people from all walks of life to come to Tibet and experience the wonder and vigor of the old but new Tibet. "
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