The half-month gala, covering a total area of 70,000 square meters at CCA, will be the largest and longest cultural exchange ever held by Germany in China. The celebrations will be co-sponsored by the German Chamber of Commerce in China and Beijing Gehua Cultural Company and Logistix Integrated Communication.

Joachim Broudre-Groeger, German ambassador to China, said the celebrations would focus on recent achievements of Germany in different fields, in a bid to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the German and Chinese peoples.

So far, more than 100 German companies and institutes have sponsored or joined the celebrations, including Siemens and Volkswagen. Mercedes-Benz will display its Formula I car, Thyssenkrupp will also show a gigantic model of its maglev train which has already been put into operation China's Shanghai.

Well-known artistic troupes from Germany will give concerts, and Chinese folk artists will also be invited to join with German counterparts.

Two Chinese artists, Ren Rong and Wang Xiaohui, German artist Rolf A. Kluenter, as well as Manfred Durniok, a German who became the honorary resident in Beijing, will have photo exhibitions on China and Germany. The exhibitions will include paintings and sculptures by Jorg Immendorff, who is ranked among the leading modern artists of Germany.

Young people and children will also have fun in activities including children's car-racing and language lessons. Experts and scholars will discuss issues such as environmental protection at specific forums.

(People's Daily September 20, 2002)