From correspondents in Beijing, China, 11:30 AM IST

A Festival of India will be held in China and a reciprocal Festival of China in India in 2010 with the aim 'to promote mutual awareness and understanding of the rich cultural heritage of each country'.

The memorandum of understanding for holding the two cultural events was signed here Thursday by Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao and China's Vice Minister Zhao Shao Hua.

The decision to hold the festivals was taken during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India in November 2006.

The festivals will have cultural events which will seek to promote mutual awareness and understanding of the rich cultural heritage of each country, the statement said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)