An exhibition of imitations of precious paintings and calligraphy of the Forbidden City's collection has opened in Beijing.

The show has captured the attention of many insiders, including the famous calligrapher Qi Gong, as the original works are unique to the Forbidden City.

Most of the pieces come from museums of metropolitan Shanghai and northeast China's Liaoning and, especially, from Taiwan province.

Although all these are clone productions, most art experts marvel at the artistry of the imitations, with some of them worth more than 10,000 yuan, or about US$12,000.

(CRI.com March 15, 2004)