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ACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Greater cultural exchange between Mexico and China allows to build "closer, brotherly and lasting ties", said Diego Prieto, director general of Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History, in a recent interview with Xinhua.
The federal official highlighted that a series of academic, scientific, artistic and literary exchanges in recent years had allowed commercial and economic relations to blossom in parallel.
"Ties cannot only be reduced to the economic and commercial spheres. If we want to build closer, brotherly and lasting ties, we must also use the road of cultural exchange," he laid out.
From Oct. 23-29, the International Nao Festival is being held in Acapulco, with China as the guest of honor, while other Asian delegations from Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines are also present.
For its tenth edition, the festival will show the best of China's art, history, music, gastronomy and more.
Traditional Chinese lanterns line a portion of Acapulco's waterfront and beaches as well as the alleys of the historic Fort of San Diego, where artistic and cultural performances are being held.
Prieto said that China's invitation as guest of honor recalled the ship, which first established trade between Mexico and parts of Asia 450 years ago, which was popularly known as "La Nao de China" (The Chinese Ship).
China's invitation also comes during the China-Latin American and Caribbean Year of Cultural Exchange.
"It is worth intensifying cultural events, exhibitions and exchanges of cultural and artistic expressions," said the director, who is responsible for the conservation of Mexico's thousands of monuments, museums and archaeological sites.
Prieto said that the Nao festival shows how cultural ties help commercial relations, since Acapulco is aiming to become a destination for Chinese tourists.
"Acapulco is a well-known destination in the North American market. The possibility of opening Acapulco to Asia, especially to China, is very important," he said.
