Lithuania to expand cultural ties with China

The government of Lithuania decided on Wednesday to establish a position of cultural attache in Beijing.

The new position in Lithuanian embassy is expected to help Lithuanian artists, cultural organizations and companies in entering the Chinese market, improving long-term cultural cooperation and increasing exports of culture industries, according to the Lithuanian government.

Lithuanian cultural attache would also allow the name of Lithuania becoming more prominent in China, expects the cabinet.

"Recently, the cultural ties with China have been becoming more intensive," said the government.

"Lithuania's National Philharmonic, Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and Lithuanian Association of Design have been pursuing constant exchanges with China for several years," noted the government.

Around 200 artists from Baltic countries, namely Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, participated in Baltic culture festival in China last year. This year Baltic countries are holding events of the Year of Chinese culture.

Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is scheduled to hold a concert tour in Shanghai and Guangdong in May-June, announced the Ministry of Culture of Lithuania in a press release.

Recently, Lithuania has intensified diplomatic efforts in China. The government approved its first agricultural attache in China two weeks ago. The new official is to start their work as of May 1 2015 at the Lithuanian embassy in Beijing.