Chinese Women's Culture Week will be held in France from March 15 to 24 as part of the activities of Chinese Culture Year in France, said sources with the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) on Feb. 25.

Chinese and French women will discuss women's role in family, economic development, and social development at symposiums held during the culture week. High-level woman leaders from the two countries will have dialogues and exchange their views on related issues.

A photo show will give a full picture of the work and life of Chinese women of different nationalities. Fashion shows of different dynasties and nationalities would exhibit the changes of traditional Chinese costume and Chinese culture.

This culture week would improve the friendship between Chinese and French people and also women from the two countries, said Zhang Jing, director of the International Department of the ACWF.

Chinese Women's Culture Week, jointly held by the French Ministry of Social Affairs, Work and Solidarity, and municipal governments of Marseilles and Rennes, is an important part of the Sino-French Culture Year.

Gu Xiulian, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and president of ACWF, will go to France for the activity.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Chinese Culture Year, themed "Ancient China, Colorful China and Modern China", opened on Oct. 6 last year in France and French Culture Week, themed "Romance and Innovation", will be held in China this year.

(Xinhua News Agency  February 26, 2004)