BEIJING, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong on Thursday met with a U.S. artist delegation, vowing to promote bilateral cultural and art exchanges.

Headed by President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Society Vishakha Desai, the delegation will participate in the China-U.S. Forum on the Arts and Culture from Nov. 16-19 in Beijing.

Liu welcomed the U.S. artists, noting cultural and art exchanges are an important component of bilateral people-to-people exchanges.

She said the founding of the forum established an institutionalized and constructive platform for deepening bilateral relations and friendship between the two peoples.

Artists from the two countries should exert their influence and actively promote bilateral cultural exchanges, she said.

The forum is organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Asia Society and the Aspen Institute.

An extraordinary line-up of American cultural icons will attend the event, including actress Meryl Streep, film director Joel Coen, musician Yo-Yo Ma, and best-selling author Amy Tan.