Cui Yuying, deputy director of the State Council Information Office, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the event "Experience western China" in Milan, Italy, on May 15, 2016. The event "Experience western China" kicked off in Italy's Milan on Sunday to help people know more about China, especially the northwestern part of the country. [Photo by Song Jian / Xinhua]

The event "Experience Western China," jointly organized by the State Council Information Office of China, China's Embassy in Italy and China's Consulate in Milan, kicked off in Milan on May 15.

"Western China is located at the center of the Eurasian continent, and at the heart of the world-famous ancient Silk Road," said Cui Yuying, deputy director of the State Council Information Office, in her opening address. "It was in this intersection that the Eastern and Western civilizations encountered each other in the past to give life to a variety of cultures and art forms."

"Experience Western China," with the full name of "Experience China - A Cultural Tour to Western China," will expose Italian people to scenes of cultural prosperity and social progress in the western parts of China. The event will enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Italy.

"Experience Western China" will be held in Milan, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. In the next ten days, the event will present folk song and dance performances, documentary screenings, exhibitions of Tangka photos, books, and expert seminars to display aspects of intangible cultural heritage inheritance and protection in western China, especially ethnic equality, unity and development in Tibet and Xinjiang.