A huge set of bells was set up beside the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing on December 30, just in time for China's millennium celebrations.

The Chinese Bells of Harmony are the highest-quality bells ever produced in the country in terms of both craftsmanship and sound, experts here said.

President Jiang Zemin inscribed Chinese characters for the bells, which will be used to ring in the new century.

The 108 bells, arranged in tiers, are divided into three symbolic categories.

Eighteen of the bells, on the bottom row, represent the historic periods that the Chinese nation has passed through since the pre-historic age.

China's 56 nationalities are represented by 56 mid-size bells in the middle tier, and 34 bells on the top row symbolize the country's 34 provinces, municipalities, autonomous and special administrative regions.

The set "has reached state-of-the-art level for both contemporary and ancient times," said the review panel which was composed of experts in the fields of science, culture and arts.

The group recommended that relevant departments of the country designate the bell set as a national treasure.

In the family of Chinese musical instruments, bells rank first in cultural importance.

The set of steel bells is 21 meters wide and 3.88 meters tall, covered with lacquer, and decorated with traditional Chinese designs and also patterns of atoms and integrated circuits.

"The bells reflect both the traditional characteristics of the Chinese culture, the spirit of the times as well as features of scientific and technological advancement," according to the review panel.

Designed mainly by famous artist Yuan Yunfu, the set of bells embody the perfect combination of science and arts, national tradition and the spirit of the times.

The Chinese government decided in January of this year to craft the Bells of Harmony.

The project, which was completed last month, was supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and the Ministry of Finance.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences was in charge of the project.