The "China-France Culture Year" will begin in France on Oct. 6.

Chinese Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng said at a press conference Wednesday that the "China-France Culture Year" is a great event in the history of Sino-French relations, and also the largest cultural exchange activity ever hosted by China and a foreign country.

According to the Ministry of Culture, a large exhibition on Chinese paintings in the 20th century will be held on Oct. 6 in Paris, displaying a number of masterpieces by world-renowned Chinese artists represented by Xu Beihong and Qi Baishi.

The spirit expressed in the Chinese paintings in the 20th century is closely linked to changes of the Chinese society. Sun said.

Sun said the culture year is more than a cultural activity, with exchanges and cooperation in sectors of economy, education, gymnastics and tourism. Apart from Paris, various activities will also be held between Chinese and French cities which have established friendly ties.

Sun expressed hope that the culture year will help push forward an overall partnership between China and France.

(People's Daily September 11, 2003)