The sculptures, considered by many experts and archaeologists as representing the best works of the Oriental Buddhist stone carving in Chinese history, were unearthed in 1996 in the ruins of the Longxing Temple in Qingzhou, East China's Shandong Province.

The showcase of the precious Buddhist stone art will constitute an important part of Chinese Cultural Festival during the 2001 Berlin Asia-Pacific Weeks, which will open on September 17.

"We have racked our brains to come up with new ideas to ensure the successful presentations of Chinese culture for the 2001 Berlin Asia-Pacific Weeks," said Zhao Qizheng, minister of the State Council Information Office, at a reception Thursday.

China, as the primary guest country for Regional Focus, will also launch a Chinese Film Week and open a Chinese Theme Park during the two-week event.

"China is able to send its own performing troupes to Germany nowadays because major German performing arts companies have already come to China on performing tours in the past few years," said Dr Hans-Christian Ueberschaer, German ambassador to China.

"Berliners have always extended their warm-heartedness to the Chinese," the ambassador said. "For example, Berlin already has the largest Chinese garden in the world outside China."

According to the State Council Information Office, a performance team will arrive in Berlin during the 2001 Asia-Pacific Weeks to give live shows to demonstrate the evolution of Chinese costumes and adornments over the past 2,000 years. The performers will also display the variety of dresses and costumes of 56 ethnic groups in China.

Meanwhile, Chinese architects and workers will join hands to give Chinese flavour to the streets of Unten den Linden and Kurfuerstendamm and the Gate of Brandenburger.

"I expect the Chinese presentations will be wonderful," said Dr Rainer Seider, chief coordinator of the 2001 Berlin Asia-Pacific Weeks. "Chinese shows will also help enhance the exuberant co-operation between Germany and China."

(China Daily 02/23/2001)