Liszt Alfonso Dance Cuba takes the lead in dancing the rumba at the opening ceremony. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

The opening ceremony of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Cultural Exchange was unveiled to the public at the Beijing Tianqiao Art Center on March 24 and 25.

Artists from more than 30 countries, including China, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Cuba, held performances at the event.

Officials, including Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong, and over 16 ambassadors from Latin American and Caribbean countries attended the event with Luo Shugang, Chinese Minister of Culture, declaring the opening of the event.

Entitled "China-LAC Time”, the two-day ceremony will be characterized by different types of cultural performances such as ballet, dramas and other cultural programs.