Bernadette Chirac (2nd L), wife of French President Jacques Chirac, inaugurates the French Culture Center by beating a gong, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, during the opening ceremony of the French Culture Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2004. The center, a key program for the Year of France in China, was set up in line with an agreement signed between Chinese and French governments in 2002, pledging to establish culture centers in both countries so as to boost bilateral cultural exchanges.

"From the Heaven to Temple", the work of the French modern artist Daniel Buren, is displayed along the main path leading to the Hall of Prayer to Good Harvest in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Oct. 10, 2004. This work, having taken Buren one year to finish, is consisted of 230 5-meter-high flags of five different blue colors.

Jarre's concert unveiled in China the "Year of France"--a nine-month program intended to introduce French culture.

French electronic music virtuoso Jean-Michel Jarre (L) and a Chinese player perform at his concert at Wumen Square of the Forbidden City in Beijing, Oct. 10, 2004.

A Chinese actress performs part of the Beijing Opera "Farewell to My Concubine" before a contest in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Oct. 10, 2004. As an important activity in the Year of France in China during a new wave of Sino-French culture exchanges, a contest between Chinese and French fencers was held in Beijing on Sunday (Oct. 10).

A French actress stages in the drama of "The Three Musketeers" before a contest in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Oct. 10, 2004. 

As an important activity in the Year of France in China during a new wave of Sino-French culture exchanges, a contest between Chinese and French fencers was held in Beijing on Sunday (Oct. 10).

Editor: Olivia