November 29, 2007	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 18, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: A photo exhibition titled ‘Beijing Welcomes You’ opened at the National Art Gallery (NAG) on Wednesday showing the Chinese capital which is hosting the Olympics Games next year.

Exotic, colourful and a beautiful Beijing is what hits you as soon as you enter the delightfully lit hall of the glamorous National Art Gallery.

Aimed at helping Pakistani people learn more about Beijing, the exhibition includes pictures of a wide range of aspects of the city, such as everyday life, environment, climate, cultural and scientific activities, hospitality services, historical monuments and tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Imperial Temple, to mention a few.

The exhibition also reveals how the Chinese capital is preparing for the 2008 Olympics. The eagerness of anticipation of the Chinese people as the games approach has been vividly depicted.

Photos on construction of sports venues such as The Water Cube (National Swimming Centre) and The Bird Nest (National Stadium) are exhibited attractions.

“China is determined to host an environmentally sustainable, technologically empowered and culturally enriched Olympiad. The city of Beijing is ready to embrace the athletes and friends from all over the world to attend the Olympic Games with great enthusiasm,” said Chinese ambassador Luo Zhaohui on the occasion.

‘Beijing Welcomes You’ is held under the auspices of the Chinese Embassy and Pakistan National Council of the Arts that will continue at the NAG for one week. Then it would head to the Al-Hamra Cultural Complex in Lahore.

APP adds: Minister for Culture, Sikander Hayat Jogezai inaugurated the exhibition.

The eye-catching photos include The Forbidden City also known as the Palace Museum Beijing, The Great Wall in striking colours featuring the wall decorated with colourful silk fans forming a flower stream in the 5 Olympic colours.