[MSN] ATHENS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China and Greece signed here Monday the Protocol of Cultural Exchanges for 2007-2010.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

ATHENS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China and Greece signed here Monday the Protocol of 
Cultural Exchanges for 2007-2010. 

    Sharing grand ancient civilizations and rich cultural heritage, both 
countries will increase cooperation in the protection of cultural relics as 
well as exchanges in fine art, theater, cinema, music and traditional culture, 
according to the protocol. 

    Zhao Weisui, China's Vice Minister of Culture, said the protocol is the 
first bilateral cultural exchange agreement after the two countries decided to 
set up a strategic partnership in 2006. 

    "The Cultural Year of Greece, started this October in Beijing, gave a 
chance to the Chinese people to know splendid ancient Greek civilization as 
well as the modern Greece," said Zhao. 

    Greek Minister of Culture Mihalis Liapis expressed his thanks to the 
Chinese government for holding the Greek cultural year on the eve of the 
Beijing Olympic Games, which are to be held in August, 2008. 

    The two ministers also showed their readiness to cooperate in the 
prevention of theft, illegal imports, exports and the transfer of cultural 
properties and works of art.