Awakening: The French Influence in Chinese Arts exhibition has opened at the China National Museum of Fine Arts in Beijing.

As part of the Year of France in China, the exhibition displays artworks from over 60 artists throughout the world.

The exhibition, featuring topics of the past, present and the future, stresses the "collision and communication" of art concepts between the two nations, showcasing designs both avant-garde and traditional.

Works on display range from delicate jade utensils to luxurious pendant lamps. Most of them are on display for the first time.

The exhibition will last for one month to the end of April.

(CRI.com March 22, 2005)