Artists from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region perform at the opening ceremony of "China's Xinjiang Culture Week" in Vientiane, capital of Laos, Oct. 11, 2016. The culture week under the theme of "Charming China, Colorful Xinjiang" kicked off with an art performance in Vientiane Tuesday night. (Xinhua/Li Sha)

"China's Xinjiang Culture Week" officially kicked off in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday night with an art performance.

Under the theme of "Charming China, Colorful Xinjiang", the Culture Week is expected to further enhance mutual understanding, deepen the friendship between China and Laos.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Director General of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Mukhtar Mahsut said Xinjiang is dubbed as "A land of song and dance". It is the core area of the Silk Road's economic belt with huge potential for development.

Under the theme of "Charming Xinjiang, Colorful Xinjiang", the Culture Week is expected to further enhance mutual understanding, deepen the friendship between China and Laos, he said.

Bounleuane Boupha, director general of the International Cooperation Department under Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, said the China's Xinjiang Culture Week has great significance in contributing to the development of the traditional relations and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

China's Xinjiang Culture Week will be held in Vientiane and central Savannakhet province until Thursday, as among activities to enhance the friendship between the two peoples as well as to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and Laos.