Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, is bidding to host the 2003 World Sculpture Conference, hoping to bridge itself to the world through art.

The biennial exhibition has been held 18 times, always in the United States. This June, the 19th event will be held in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.

Since 1997, Changchun has hosted its own international sculpture show once a year, with the theme "Friendship, Peace and Spring." For each event, 150 artists from 50 countries and regions were invited to exhibit nearly 200 pieces of works. The fifth show is scheduled for this July.

According to local officials in charge of the bid, an application has been sent to the World Sculpture Association.

The host city of a World Sculpture Conference is responsible for inviting 800 to 1,500 artists, designing the theme of the event, ensuring the smooth proceeding of the conference, and covering the expenses for 18 experts who will deliver special reports at the meeting.

The officials said that if Changchun wins the bid, it will host a series of sculpture forums, sculpture works contests, and exhibitions on sculpture materials and skills.

(Xinhua 05/10/2001)