More than 200 people from the cultural circles of the mainland and Taiwan gathered here to start a seven-day friendship tour on the Three Gorges.

Meng Xiaosi, vice-minister of Culture and president of the Friendship Association of Cultural Circles of China, made an address during the opening ceremony Monday evening.

Welcoming compatriots from Taiwan, she said that descending from the same ancestor, all Chinese are rooted with the same culture. "Cultural exchanges between the two sides are in the fundamental interest of the people across the Taiwan Straits and their common aspiration."

The vice-minister said the Three Gorges tour will help increase communication and understanding between people from across the Straits. She hoped that the cultural circles will make efforts to improve the cross-strait relations, enhance cultural exchanges and collaboration and promote the Chinese culture worldwide.

Li Yan from Taiwan said that the friendship tour will bring people from the two sides to a better understanding of each other as well as the Chinese culture.

Attendants will participate in seminars on archeological work and cultural relics.

(People's Daily 07/17/2001)