China Pictorial Exhibition Opens in NigeriaThe China Pictorial Exhibition was opened in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet and strengthen drumbeating of Beijing's bid for 2008 Olympic Games.The pictorial exhibition comprises three parts of content, namely: "New Beijing, Great Olympic", "A Day in Lhasa" and " Chinese Arts and Handicrafts". Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria Qian Kaifu said that China is optimistic that the International Olympic Committee will declare Beijing as host of the 2008 Olympic Games. He said that the Chinese people love sporting activities and are very willing to host the greatest sports event, adding that it will be of great significance to the Olympic movement and enhancing the spread of the Olympic spirit in the biggest possible way if China hosts the games. He disclosed that the Chinese government decided to invest 5.6 billion U.S. dollars for environmental protection program between 1998 and 2002. It is considering to increase the amount to 14.5 billion dollars under a new expansion program beginning from 2003. Meanwhile, he said that Tibet, one of China's five autonomous regions, was extremely poor and backward under a feudal serfdom before liberation. But it has been now transformed into a great civilization. On the same occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Liang Yinzhu also stressed in his brief speech that the Chinese government and people have prepared to host the 2008 Olympic Games. Everything is being done to ensure that Beijing will be successful in the bid for the hosting. Organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria in collaboration with the Council of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory for Arts and Culture, the exhibition will conclude on July 6. |
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