Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong (8th R, 1st Row) poses for photo during a meeting with a U.S. artist delegation, led by President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Society Vishakha Desai, that is here to attend the first China-U.S. Forum on the Arts and Culture before the forum`s opening ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 17, 2011. The first China-U.S. Forum on the Arts and Culture opened here Thursday. The four-day event was designed to enhance Sino-U.S. exchanges and understanding in the cultural field. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)   

 
 
BEIJING, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong on Thursday met with a U.S. artist delegation, vowing to promote bilateral cultural and art exchanges.

Headed by President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Society Vishakha Desai, the delegation will participate in the China-U.S. Forum on the Arts and Culture from Nov. 16-19 in Beijing.

Liu welcomed the U.S. artists, noting cultural and art exchanges are an important component of bilateral people-to-people exchanges.

She said the founding of the forum established an institutionalized and constructive platform for deepening bilateral relations and friendship between the two peoples.

Artists from the two countries should exert their influence and actively promote bilateral cultural exchanges, she said.

The forum is organized by the Chinese People`s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Asia Society and the Aspen Institute.

An extraordinary line-up of American cultural icons will attend the event, including actress Meryl Streep, film director Joel Coen, musician Yo-Yo Ma, and best-selling author Amy Tan.