China and Kyrgyzstan attach great importance to preserving and passing on traditional culture, Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, said on Monday, as she expressed hope that the two nations will continue to expand people-to-people exchanges and further enhance mutual understanding between their two peoples.

Peng made the remarks when visiting the National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek, the capital of the Central Asian country, with Aigul Japarova, wife of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

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During the visit, Peng and Japarova watched a welcoming performance together, and then appreciated an exhibition on traditional Kyrgyz culture. The costumes, carpets and other items on display are exquisitely crafted and richly colored, reflecting the Kyrgyz people's long-standing handicraft traditions and unique customs, Peng said.

They also visited an art exhibition on ancient Chinese civilization and watched a Kyrgyz ethnic costume show, where they both expressed willingness to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries.

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The three-month exhibition, titled "Harmony Creates Beauty: An Art Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Civilization", opened on Aug 18 at the National Historical Museum. It features 153 exhibits from China's Tianjin Museum and Inner Mongolia Museum, as well as from the Kyrgyz museum.

The National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic is the highest-level national museum in Kyrgyzstan, housing a collection of artifacts that traces the history and development of the Kyrgyz people.

Contact the writer at zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn