The first Suzhou Jinji Lake China-France Culture and Art Week is underway and will run until Nov 7, with various cultural and art events on tap, including symphony concerts, film screenings, reading sessions and exhibitions.

The only replica of the French Wall of Love in Asia was also inaugurated in Suzhou on Friday.

The wall is a love-themed structure in Montmartre, Paris, France, created by French artists Frederic Baron and Claire Kito. It has been hailed as the "most romantic wall in the world" since on it, the phrase "I love you" is featured 311 times. The actual size replica at Ligongdi Cultural Creative Block in Suzhou Industrial Park is the wall's sole reproduction in Asia. It is expected to become a new cultural attraction of the city and a hot spot for tourists.

Art Week features an array of cultural and art exchange activities, such as China-France Symphony Night, an event themed on French art and films; the I Love You, Paris exhibition; French Literature Reading Week; the Meet Montmartre exhibition; In The Name of Love street painting art exhibition; Montmartre of Paris/Ligongdi of Suzhou China-France cultural fair; and China-France Food Week. Residents of Suzhou will feel the authentic French culture and lifestyle near their homes.

The opening ceremony was livestreamed to locals in Montmartre via video link to introduce the culture of China and Suzhou, as well as the Suzhou Industrial Park. Representatives from the government of the 18th arrondissement of Paris, the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Paris, the France-China Cooperation and Exchange Association and Montmartre Chamber of Commerce attended the livestreaming event.

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee and the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Paris signed a cultural partnership convention last year, deciding to present Suzhou Jinji Lake China-France Culture and Art Week every year and establish friendly cooperation in culture, tourism and art. Montmartre, Paris and Ligongdi, Suzhou, also created a friendly block agreement.