BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Francois Hollande on Thursday conveyed messages of congratulation to the first ever Sino-French cultural forum in Beijing.

The three-day forum, "One Belt One Road: Cultural Dialogue and Fusion," will have elites from both nations sharing their insights and experiences in various fields, including culture, art, economy and education.

Both China and France are countries that enjoy a long history and rich culture, said Xi, noting that the two sides are attracted to each other's culture.

He said cultural exchanges between the two countries not only promoted friendship between the two peoples, but also played an important role in boosting mutual learning between the Eastern and Western culture as well as the diversity of civilizations.

Xi hoped that the forum would grow into a crucial platform for facilitating mutual understanding and mutual learning between the two countries.

In his message, Hollande said France will lend full support to the forum, encouraging the two sides to enhance cultural exchanges, increase mutual understanding and expand common interests.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong addressed the opening ceremony.

The forum, which was put forward by Chen Zhu, president of the Western Returned Scholars Association, and former French premier Jean-Pierre Raffarin, is aimed at building a non-official and non-profit Sino-French communication platform.

The forum will be held in China and France alternately. The second forum will be in Lyons, France.