Accra, June 22, GNA - Ghana and China on Tuesday signed a cultural agreement for the period 2010 to 2012 in Accra.

Mr Alex Asum-Ahensah, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, who signe d for Ghana, said the relationship between the two countries begun in the 1960s and was strengthened in December 1981 with the signing of an agreem ent on Cultural Co-operation between them.

He said, as part of the good relationship between them, Chinese Government assisted in building the National Theatre in 1989 to promote cultural activities and had served and continued to serve its purpose. Mr Asum-Ahensah said China had offered training programmes in visual arts and acrobatics in Wiquo Acrobatics School in China and some of the students had the opportunity to put up a show during the 30th anniversary celebration of Cultural Revolution in China.

He said Ghana had the opportunity to participate in the Round Table Conference on Domestic Cultural Development and International Cultural Exchanges. Mr Asum-Ahensah, appealed to the Chinese Government to send experts to be attached to the National Theatre to share expertise in theatre managem ent adding, "we need experts to support us in the management of our heritage sites and museums" Mr Yu Wenzhe, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, who signed for his countr y, said 2010 marked the 50th anniversary of cultural agreement signed betwee n the two countries.

"We need to continue to strengthen the bond between us," he added. Mr Yu expressed gratitude to Ghana Government for the cooperation an d hoped the agreement would be a framework for the cultural industry.