Life of General Charles de Gaulle, the great French politician and one of the first westerners to welcome New China, will be replayed in an exposition in Beijing from Oct. 10 to 30.

The event is only one part of French Culture year in China, marking the 40th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties.

According to the organizers, the exhibition includes items never displayed before, such as the general's baptism suit, his saber used in military school and the copy of his office in Paris.

Different from previous exhibitions, the show will focus more on de Gualle's inside world. Employing video and multimedia technology as well as documentary films, the show will let Chinese audience experience the true history of his life.

On Jan. 28 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the office of de Gaulle in Paris, to extend respect to the man who firmly held out for dialogue between France and China. Hu also left epigraph to the Foundation of Charles de Gaulle. The foundation, in return, worked with the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) and the Chinese Association for Cultural Exchanges with Foreign Countries for the show.

Addressing the great importance of the show, CPIFA vice-president Wang Yunxiang said Charles de Gaulle is not only a national hero and far-sighted politician, but also the founder of the Sino-French diplomatic ties.

On Jan. 27, 1964, Mao Zedong and de Gaulle made the correct historic choice to officially establish the bilateral diplomatic ties between China and France.

The show will move to Shanghai in mid November.

 
(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2004)