BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official on Tuesday called for closer cultural exchanges with Cuba, saying culture could be seen as bridge for communications between the two peoples.

Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto in Beijing.

Prieto, as guest of Chinese culture ministry, attended the closing ceremony of the eighth China International Folk Art Festival. The two culture ministries also signed an agreement on cultural exchanges between 2011 and 2013.

"China attaches great importance to cultural relations with Cuba and will strive to lift bilateral cultural exchanges to a new height," said Liu, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Liu spoke highly of China-Cuba relations, saying the two countries should work for the deep development of friendly and reciprocal cooperation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-Cuba diplomatic ties this year.

Prieto expressed his hope that the two countries could expand cultural exchanges in a bid to facilitate traditional friendship.

China and Cuba have hosted a series of cultural activities marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties, which include ballet performances, martial arts exhibitions and traditional art expositions.