Chinese architecture is attracting wide attention as Western architects try to draw inspiration from their Chinese counterparts at a forum on the Chinese modern architecture.

Nine young architects from China showed their latest works to Western visitors at the forum, a program of the Asia-Pacific Weeks, which opened in Berlin Saturday.

Chinese organizers for the forum said that they hope the forum and the exhibition will help the Western people know more about Chinese people's daily life and their artistic sentiment.

The creative works presented by the Chinese architects include one-story brick building, cabin-like villa, V-shaped building, glass-structured cultural center, and highly-ventilated college dormitory.

"The open-minded Chinese young generation are combining the latest designing in the world with their own cultural tradition," said Eduard Kogel, an urban design professor at PBAR Technical University Darmstadt and also a coordinator of the forum.

"While the Chinese people learn from the West, the Western architects should look for inspiration from the Chinese traditional culture," said Hans-Jurgen Commerell, head of the Aedes East Forum, a co-sponsor of the exhibition.

Also, organizers of the Asia-Pacific Weeks decorated the busiest streets of Berlin in Chinese style.

(Eastday.com 09/23/2001)