EU welcomes China's cultural drive

BRUSSELS - The European Union welcomes China's strategy to boost its soft power by spreading its culture across the globe, said a top EU culture official.

European Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said culture plays an important part in achieving the Beijing's aspiration of gaining more global influence and boosting its soft power.

In late 2011, China's highest leadership decided to make building up its cultural strength and global influence a national development strategy.