Chinese art, dance, movies and music are expected to charm Indonesians inan event called "Experience China", which kicked off on Tuesday in the capital of the SoutheastAsian nation.

Organized by China's State Council Information Office, the event will be held throughout July in thecities of Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Semarang.

It will include a four-day Chinese film festival, which will start on Wednesday in Jakarta andSurabaya, and performances by the China Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble and the Shaolinmonks.

There will also be a symposium to commemorate the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue, aswell as a ceremony to present Chinese books to Indonesian cultural institutions.

"We are bringing Chinese art, kungfu, movies and books to offer Indonesian people a chance tofully experience Chinese culture," Wang Zhongwei, vice-minister of the State Council InformationOffice, said at the event's opening ceremony on Tuesday.

"Culture is the bridge and also the tie to enhance feelings between people. I hope this event willhelp to further improve mutual understanding and trust between people from China and ASEANnations," he said.

Zhang Qiyue, Chinese ambassador to Indonesia, said the event would let people know more aboutChina's diversified cultures, and also that it is modern and open, and adheres to peacefuldevelopment.

"I believe that focusing on the people is the basis of the success of China-ASEAN cooperation, andthat the future of relations needs the support and involvement of the people," she said at theevent's opening ceremony. (China Daily, Picture: Jakarta Post/Nurhayati)