An exhibition of Beijing Opera characters opened in the Jordanian capital Amman on Monday. 

Organized by the cultural department of the Chinese Embassy to Jordan, the exhibition featured big-sized photos of 60 Beijing Opera characters in a big hall of the Al-Hussein Cultural Center.

A 45-minute film, titled "Beijing Opera enlightenment", was played during the inauguration for hundreds of attendees.

Amman Mayor Nidal Hadid, Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Luo Xingwu and visiting Deputy Chinese Cultural Minister Chang Keren took part in the opening ceremony.

"This exhibition will further enhance cultural relations between China and Jordan, and meanwhile help develop bilateral ties in political and economic fields," Ge Xiaohe, cultural counselor of the Chinese embassy said.

Beijing Opera, a traditional Chinese drama, can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty and has a history of over 200 years. The plot is usually based on historical events, politics, philosophy and literary works.

The exhibition in Amman will last for one week.

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2003)