To stage a fashion show in Tian'anmen Square has always been a dream for the setters of Chinese fashion and "Moda Beijing," an international fashion week will make that dream come true.

During the fashion week, scheduled for August, more than 100 domestic and overseas fashion designers will organize joint shows on the eastern side of the famous square.

The aim of the fashion week is to help develop an international fashion center in Beijing and promote competitiveness in the Chinese garment industry, organizers said. It is also expected to give impetus to the garment exposition industry in China, and give more flavors to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Tian'anmen Square, in central Beijing, is the political and cultural center of China. Five of the world's fashion gurus and 100 local designers have been invited to take part. They will be showing international fashion trends and an all-round image of the Chinese garment industry.

During the fashion week, downtown Chang'an Avenue, with its luxury hotels and shopping malls, will be the scene of a wide range of fashion shows to promote local brand names.

The fashion week will also include forums and expositions, with well-known experts, professionals and entrepreneurs attending.

Experts claim that the fashion week will serve as a prelude to China's garment industry to join in international competition after the country's entry into the World Trade Organization.

Since China's reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, the setters of Chinese fashion and garment producers have been working hard to meet the market demand and to cater to international trends.

The fashion week is jointly organized by the China Garment Group Corporation, Capital Tourism Group Corporation and China Culture and Arts Co., Ltd.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2002)