KATHMANDU -- As part of cultural exchanges, a special gala performance from China's Shandong province - hometown of Confucius - was held in Nepal's capital Kathmandu on Sunday evening.

More than 30 artists performed in the two-hour long show organized by Shandong provincial department of culture and China Culture Center in Nepal.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Ji Xiangqi, vice governor of Shandong province said that Shandong province is a home of tourism and cultural diversity thus such events are helpful in boosting the cultural ties between Nepal and China.

"Cultural events and exchanges can take the people-to-people relations between Nepal and China to a new height," Ji said.

His statement was echoed by the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong, who said that since Shandong is a home of Confucius and Nepal is a home of Gautam Buddha, the exchange between art and literature is very significant.

"Such activities help a lot to enhance the mutual understanding between the people of two countries," Yu said.

Maheshwor Neupane, secretary at Ministry of Tourism, said, "Nepal and China's Shandong province share various similarities in terms of geography, culture and tourism. Nepal wishes to learn from Shandong province and also seeks cooperation in tourism and culture sector."

Nearly 300 people including government officials, diplomats, tourism entrepreneurs, students and people from different walks of life attended the ceremony.