First Minister Carwyn Jones has given his best wishes to the Chongqing Culture Bureau who for the first time are holding a cultural week in Wales.

The series of events builds upon the wide ranging relationship that Wales has developed with the Chinese Municipality over a number of years.

The week involves five performances by the Chongqing Acrobatic Troupe at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and an exhibition by Chongqing artists at the National Museum.  Both events are being put on free of charge to the public by the Culture Bureau.

The First Minister said:

I would like to send my congratulations and best wishes to the Chongqing Culture Bureau and all the artists taking part in Chongqing Culture Week in Wales.

For a number of years we have held very successful ‘Wales Weeks’ in Chongqing, which have helped to cement and strengthen the relationship between Wales and Chongqing.

I am delighted that Chongqing has decided to hold a series of events in Wales as part of Chongqing Culture Week and the move is evidence of the strong relationship between us. I am sure that it will do much to raise the profile of Chongqing, not only in Wales but in the UK.

As well as the cultural events, three co-operation agreements will be signed during the week between:

  • the Wales Millennium Centre and Chongqing Performing Arts Group
  • Chongqing and Wales National Libraries (a donation of 500 Chinese books also being made)
  • Chongqing Culture Bureau and the Welsh Government’s Culture Department.

The cultural week will run from 4th – 8th August. In 2006 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed linking Wales to the Chongqing Municipal Government.

The agreement commits the two Governments to working together in the areas of economic development, education and training, the environment, culture, governance and agriculture.

Source: Welsh government