The theme of this year's activities is "revitalizing China through science and education and initiating future".

He Luli, vice-chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee and President of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD), said at the opening ceremony that the activities will contribute to exchange and cooperation in science and peace between China and foreign countries.

Fourteen museums in Beijing will stage shows on science and peace from November 5 to 12. Scientific and technological fairs, academic lectures and exhibitions and films focusing on the environment, resources, women and children, agriculture and health will be held across China.

In 1988, the 43rd United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution proclaiming the week consisting of November 11 every year as International Science and Peace Week. During this time, the member countries hold activities educating the public on the role science and technology plays in the maintenance of world peace and social development.

Since 1989, more than 100 million Chinese people have taken part in these activities.

(People's Daily 11/06/2000)