(A visitor takes a photo of stamps from the African continent on Thursday, Nov 2, 2006. An exhibition of African currencies and stamps opens in the day at the National Museum of China in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua)

Two exhibitions, one of African art and the other, African currencies and stamps, have kicked off on Thursday at the National Museum of China.

More than 200 senior officials who will attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-African Cooperation have visited the exhibitions on the first day.

Among more the than 300 displays as part of the 10-day art exhibition are wood carvings and painting works as well as straw weaving products, while more than 400 types of coins and notes from 48 African countries are displayed at the currency exhibition that will last until next Tuesday.

(Visitors stand in front of a set of African notes on Thursday, Nov 2, 2006. An exhibition of African currencies and stamps opens in the day at the National Museum of China in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua)

Editor: Yan