On December 17, 2010, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held a discussion with representatives from Chinese and Indian cultural circles in New Delhi.

Calling culture the spirit of a nation and driving force for national development, Wen said cultural exchanges serve as bridges for communications among different peoples. China and India, two open and inclusive peoples with ceaseless self-improvement, have cultivated their brilliant civilizations, and forged friendship and jointly promoted the advancement of the humankind through exchanges, he said. Wen said in advancing China-India strategic cooperative partnership, both sides should attach importance to cultural and youth exchanges to further promote mutual understanding and trust and to properly manage differences and contradictions. Wen said cultural and youth exchanges would lay a solid foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation in various areas. "The dance of dragon and elephant together starts from culture and youth," said the premier, referring to the young as the hope for generations of friendship between the two great peoples.

More than a dozen celebrities from literature, film, academic, journalism, education and other cultural circles of the two countries joined the one-hour-long discussion, in which they shared experiences on and offered advice for China-India cultural exchanges in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

On the same day, Wen also met with Chinese embassy staff and representatives of overseas Chinese and students as well as Chinese organizations.