Premier Li Keqiang said that cooperation between China and Colombia, as well as between China and Latin America, is not only practical but also cultural.

Li made his comments on May 22 in Bogota, Colombia’s capital, at a discussion on Sino-Latin American cultural exchanges. It was co-hosted by cultural departments of the Chinese and Colombian governments.

The discussion was held one day after World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

Cultural cooperation shouldn’t be neglected, and cultural diversity should be respected, Li said in the discussion.

Chinese people and the Latin American people have created glorious, time-honored and inclusive civilizations, he said.

By respecting each other and learning from each other, the two civilizations show that diverse cultures can coexist peacefully and contribute to human development together, added Li.

Cultural cooperation between China and Colombia, as well as between China and Latin America, should encourage literature to be more creative and inspiring, thus helping people live a better life, the premier said.

With literature exchanges, China and Latin American countries can build a strong tie among their people that will strengthen practical cooperation, he said.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who also attended the discussion, said he believes literature exchanges will deepen mutual understanding between Colombia and China and help improve Sino-Latin American relations.