Asian artists started to present their exquisite artistic attainments Friday when the Seventh Asia Art Festival opened in Foshan, south China's Guangdong Province.

Splendid art performances such as Chinese acrobatics, Bangladeshi folk dance, Myanmar drum dance, Vietnam's traditional music, and modern Singapore dance were staged at the opening ceremony tonight to bring the audience utmost excitement.

"This festival gives a great opportunity for artists of different Asian cultures to exchange," said Xing Shimiao, director of the opening gala of the Seventh Asia Art Festival. "Cultural identity can be enhanced through comparison among different cultures." added Xing.

A total of 22 art troupes from 21 Asian countries will give their brilliant performances during the ongoing festival from Nov.11 to 17 in Foshan city where martial arts originated in the 19th century, quickly spread later and even still prevail now.

During the festival with the theme of "culture as the core, glory for all", street shows, square performances, art exhibitions and joyful parades will be displayed, aiming to feature Asian culture values and attract participation by all. "It should be a festival of all Asian peoples," said one organizer.

Joyous parades were held Friday afternoon to mark the opening of the festival. The parades, lasting for more than two hours, were participated by both domestic and overseas Asian artists.

During the seven-day festival, five street pageants and nine outdoor performances are to be organized with enthusiastic participation by both the local citizens and artists.

Various activities such as a ceramics art show, Foshan paper cuts, a lamp exhibition and an exhibition of Chinese New Year paintings will be held in the city.

Also during the festival, 23 Asian cultural ministers will attend a forum of cultural ministers during which they can discuss prospective cultural cooperation among Asian countries and sign Foshan Declaration.

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2005)