The 2013 Turkish Culture Year in China kicked off in Beijing on March 21. Omer Celik, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister, Murat Salim Esenli, Turkish Ambassador to China, attended the opening ceremony at the the Poly Theater in downtown Beijing.

According to Esenli, Turkish talent in film, drama, handicrafts, folk dance, painting and music will present a traditional and modern Turkey to people in 12 Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province and Yichang in central China's Hubei Province.

In 2012, the Year of Chinese Culture was held in Turkey, celebrating the charming multicultural history of the Silk Road. The Year of Culture programs are part of the strategic cooperation between China and Turkey.

Murat Salim Esenli, Turkish Ambassador to China, signs the welcome board (CHEN RAN)

Omer Celik, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister, signs the welcome board (CHEN RAN)

Chai Yunlong performs Chinese Tai Chi (left) and Adem Demirel performs Sufi whirling in Tolerance & The Sema (CHEN RAN)

Dancers perform Efe Dance (CHEN RAN)

Dancers perform The Women (CHEN RAN)

An orchestra performs The Rose (CHEN RAN)