Dialogue between Chinese and African civilizations is instrumental in safeguarding world cultural diversity and gaining a stronger say for developing countries in the international cultural arena, Chinese Minister of Culture Cai Wu said.

"China and Africa, with their long historical traditions and diversified cultures, have both contributed to world cultural progress. And now we are both in a new era of reform and development," he said. "We have similar goals and visions in terms of economic, social and cultural development. Our history and current status have opened a broad perspective for our future cooperation in cultural sectors."

Talking about the recent Cultural Ministers' Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Cai said that it provided new guidance for China-Africa cultural exchange and cooperation in the new era.

The forum, which was held in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday, attracted culture ministers and representatives from 45 African countries.

All attendees reviewed the achievements of China-Africa cultural relations since the forum's Beijing summit in 2006 and discussed how to further deepen China-Africa cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Representatives of the forum also signed the Beijing Statement, announcing that China and African countries will take a number of actions to further develop cultural exchange and cooperation between the two sides.

They include maintaining the exchanges of visits and consultations by high-ranking government officials in charge of cultural affairs from China and Africa, encouraging the establishment of long-term partner-on-partner cooperative relations between the two sides, and actively conducting exchanges and cooperation between cultural industries from China and Africa.

During the forum, China signed plans for cultural cooperation with Senegal, Liberia, Eritrea and Niger.

According to the Ministry of Culture, since 2006, China and Africa have seen nearly 70 performances by visiting art groups and more than 30 visiting exhibitions.

China has also provided cultural materials assistance worth about 7.2 million yuan ($1.13 million) to 36 African countries.

Contact the writer at muqian@chinadaily.com.cn