The 1999 Shanghai Art Expo opened on November 23 in Shanghai as part of the Shanghai First International Arts Festival.

On display in the 12,000-sq m exhibition hall during the six- day expo are nearly 10,000 art works from 35 galleries in a dozen countries and regions including China, the United States, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Japan and Australia.

The expo features traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings and sculptures, said a local cultural official, adding that a series of art seminars and exhibitions will be held during the event.

Income from the sale of expo tickets will be donated to help the city's school children from poor families receive an education.