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A week-long Chinese-Romanian youth festival opened on May 8 in Shanghai. The event marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The 58-member Romanian youth delegation includes young statesmen, entrepreneurs, media workers, artists and representatives from non-governmental organizations.

During the festival, the young Romanian delegates will cruise on the Huangpu River and visit remarkable buildings in Shanghai. They will also travel to Beijing for more visits and exchanges. Meanwhile, a series of performances will be held, along with a trade fair for young Chinese and Romanian entrepreneurs.

The gathering of Chinese and Romanian youth in this special year is of great significance to the development of the friendly tradition between China and Romania, said Hu Wei, vice-chairman of the All China Youth Federation (ACYF), at Saturday's ceremony to welcome the Romanian delegation.

For many years, no matter how international and domestic situations have changed, China and Romania have enjoyed good relations with mutual understanding and support. Last year, Romanian President Ion Iliescu and Prime Minister Adrian Nastase visited China, supporting China in its war on SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), said Hu.

Youth exchanges, an important part of Sino-Romanian relations, act as a bridge to facilitate understanding and friendship between the two peoples and improve the relationship between the two countries.

This youth festival, sponsored by the ACYF, will help to advance the traditional friendship between China and Romania, develop new cooperative relationships and organize the younger generation to develop friendly relations, said Hu.

Victor Ponta, head of the Romanian delegation, is a member of the Romanian cabinet and is in charge of affairs concerning Romania's entry into the European Union.

Ponta, 32, visited China several years ago. He said Romania and China have a long history of youth exchanges and this festival would further improve the relationship between the two nations.

He added that he hopes Romanian and Chinese youth will hold such activities every year.