Alain Lombard, commissioner general of French Culture Year in China, announced at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday that the special year of cultural exchange will begin on October 10. During the year, 179 varied events and programs will be presented to show Chinese audiences a new and creative France.

French President Jacques Chirac will be in China for opening day, when artists from both countries will present a spectacular variety show in the Forbidden City. The French aerobatics team Patrouille de France in their Alpha jet twin-engine training and attack aircraft will give a show and Zhengyang Gate will be decorated in red, blue and white, representing the French national flag.

The Groupe F pyrotechnics wizards, who were also responsible for the fireworks at the opening and closing of the Athens Olympics as well as those at the Barcelona Olympiad in 1992 and the 1998 World Cup, will give shows in several major Chinese cities.

At the end of April, Chinese gastronomes will have chance to enjoy a picnic of French cuisine on the Great Wall.

Lombard said that a series of exhibitions will be held in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Shenzhen and Hong Kong to introduce French achievements in photography, architecture and urban development.

French Culture Year will also include film festival as well as lectures and symposia on law, literature, architecture and technology.

Lombard stated that all the activities have been designed to promote comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between France and China.

Chinese Culture Year in France was held from October 2003 to July 2004.

(China.org.cn, Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2004)