An event held in Paris celebrates ties with Guangzhou in southern China. It gave Chinese and Parisians a chance to mark both Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year - as well as to explore each other's architecture, music and food. CGTN's Paul Barber reports from the French capital.

It's the most romantic time of year but for many here Valentine's Day comes just as China marks the Lunar New Year holiday.

Luckily the city of Guangzhou has arrived in the heart of Paris - in the form of a special event at the French capital's Grand Palais, dubbed "a loving dialogue".

The first of its kind here, the show marks cultural bonds between the two cities that go back centuries. Projections reveal the beauty of both - a bittersweet reminder of those here far from home.

JEAN & SIQI GUANGZHOU STUDENTS IN PARIS “It's the first time there's been this connection between the two cities with an event like this. So we wanted to come along to see it."(JEAN)

"It's also an opportunity to connect with other Chinese people or people from Guangzhou." (SIQI)

"…Who study or work in Paris."(JEAN)

WEI TAO GUANGZHOU STUDENT IN PARIS "First of all the music is pretty cool. I come in here and the first thing I hear is Cantonese music. It's the traditional Cantonese music that you can never find in other places in Europe, it's really nice."

"It's a night of discovery for me because I didn't actually know that much about the city of Guangzhou before. So for me this evening, it will be a new thing for me too."

For those in the mood to dance - sets from Chinese and French DJs raise the tempo. A good way to build up an appetite for steamed buns, dumplings and soup. Traditional dim sum serving up an authentic taste of home.

WEI TAO GUANGZHOU STUDENT IN PARIS "And some traditional food, dim sum." [QUESTION: and what's it like?] "The food is delicious I think."

PAUL BARBER PARIS "Paris and Guangzhou may be on opposite sides of the world. But they actually have a lot in common. So what better time to celebrate that friendship than when Valentine's Day and the Lunar New Year coincide."

The event was produced by the artist Gad Weil, who's led other cultural projects with China - and hopes this will the first of many such nights in Paris.

GAD WEIL, PRODUCER "GUANGZHOU-PARIS: LE DIALOGUE AMOUREUX" "There are many similarities. They are cities on water. They are cities with animals. They are cities with ancient architecture and modern architecture. They're cities where you can find tranquility or technology innovation. There's the big Television Tower and the Eiffel Tower. There's the Sacre Coeur church of Guangzhou and Notre Dame in Paris. They're very old cities, both more than two thousand years old, but they're both looking to the future."

And as China and France look to increase their trading and diplomatic partnership, cultural exchanges like this can be a good way to win hearts and minds. Paul Barber, CGTN, Paris.