Susan, an ordinary citizen of Paris in hoary-hair, was unwilling to budge, and would rather stand in the rain when she was kept outside the gate for having no invitation to the show. This is a scene witnessed in front of the small palace of hundred years old beside the Champs-Elysees Street, in which was on display the Cream Exhibits of Chinese Cultural Relics.
Touched by Susan's persistence, the Chinese organizer gave her a leeway for admission. After the visit, she felt very exited, informing the reporter that she had been to many places in China. Besides, she studied Chinese by herself, and was so fond of the Chinese culture that she wouldn't like to miss the chance for such a wonderful exhibition.
On display this time are the archeological findings and achievements over the past 25 years, said Zhang Wenbin, director of the State Administration of Cultural Relics. Over 300 pieces of cultural relics from the Western Zhou to the Liao Dynasty epitomized China's achievements in the fields of science and technology, arts and crafts of the past 2500 years. Half of the exhibits are the state-grade ones, which have, for the first time, been put on show overseas. Among them are the biggest jade piece with a round hole in its middle found in Xi'an, the terracotta horses and warriors unearthed from the Tomb of Qinshihuang in Shannxi Province and treasures from the crypt of the Famen Temple of the Tang Dynasty as well as the colored pottery figurines from Xianyang of the Western Han Period.
Great concern was given to the cultural relics show by both presidents of China and France, said Wu Jianmin, China's ambassador in France. For this is the first time that the creams of the Chinese cultural relics have been put on show overseas, demonstrating the depth of cultural exchanges between China and France, the two big countries of the world.
The show is, as reported, to last up to the yearend.
(People’s Daily 11/23/2000)
