Comment on "Long love affair with African art" (China Daily, March 30)

I am a postgraduate student at the Shanghai Theater Academy majoring in Intercultural Communications. As a Ghanaian citizen, I want to conduct research on the development of China-Africa cultural exchange.

My studies in inter-culturalism over the past few months at the STA indicate that the field of inter-cultural studies is determined by the West-East structure, that is, the relations between developed and developing countries.

I have also observed that there is a whopping gap in scholarly work exploring the extent to which African and Chinese traditional art forms have fared in the divergent societies.

Despite the recent upsurge in Sino-African relations, the gamut of research still focuses on trade, infrastructure construction and natural resources.

My proposition is: for China to understand Africa and advance its interests in Africa, it needs to be exposed to the African art forms, cultures and traditions. Why? Because art is ingrained in real life problems, and it revolves around people in a particular place and time and the realities of everyday life are shown in works of art, be it literature, or performing or just visual arts. It allows people to reinterpret the reality of life, to inquire and to respond to its inconsistencies.

That's why the article in China Daily makes good reading. In fact, it will be a good case study for my research work.

KwameGh, From China Daily forum

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send your e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you

(China Daily 04/17/2014 page9)