East China's Shandong province unveiled its first overseas cultural exchange center on July 20 at a Linde Hydraulics plant in Bavaria, Germany.

Linde Hydraulics is a manufacturer of heavy duty hydraulics, power transmissions, and electronics. Weichai Power, one of the leading companies in the commercial vehicle and automotive space based in Weifang, Shandong province, purchased a 70 percent controlling stake of the company and became the majority shareholder of Linde Hydraulics in 2012.

Distinguished representatives from Shandong government, Linde Hydraulics, Weichai Power, Confucius Institute of University of Frankfurt took part in the unveiling ceremony.

Wei Changmin, director of the information office of the Shandong provincial government, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

He said that in recent years, China and Germany have witnessed frequent exchanges of high-level visits with ever-growing bilateral trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges.

"Shandong and Bavaria has enjoyed a sister relationship for more than 30 years and the two sides have cooperated in extensive areas with remarkable achievements and have established solid friendship," said Wei.

"The cultural exchange center will serve as a bridge for the two peoples to deepen mutual understanding, and provide a channel for the two peoples to enhance friendship."

Various cultural products related to Shandong and China, including books, video products, and folk crafts will be displayed at the center, along with multitude of interactive activities.

A photo exhibition themed "Shandong China, Home of Confucius" also commenced and displayed the life of Confucius, the inheritance, influence and transmission of his thoughts as well as the saint's hometown of Jining in Shandong province at the center.

East China's Shandong province unveils its first overseas cultural exchange center on July 20 at a plant of Linde Hydraulics in Bavaria, Germany. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Participants of the unveiling ceremony visit the photo exhibition themed "Shandong China, Home of Confucius" on July 20 at a plant of Linde Hydraulics in Bavaria, Germany. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wei Changmin, director of the information office of the Shandong provincial government, presents a bamboo slip version of The Analects of Confucius to a representative of Linde Hydraulics. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]