The launch of "The Eiffel Tower by Lubliner" photo exhibition in Hong Kong Monday symbolized the end of the year-long cross-cultural campaign the "Year of France in China."

"The Eiffel Tower by Lubliner" exhibition is the highlight activity of the closing of the "Year of France in China." Spectacular photos of the Eiffel Tower in large format by French contemporary artist Jean Paul Lubliner have been put on display near the Avenue of Stars.

During the "Year of France in China," which was held between October 2004 and September 2005, over 300 events were held in many major cities in the Chinese mainland, which included Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Zhuhai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, as well as Macao and Hong Kong.

More than 40 of the events were presented under the auspices of the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong, with the assistance from the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department and other local institutions.

Consul-General of France in Hong Kong Jean-Pierre Thebault said he was grateful for the tremendous support from the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in making such a historic event a success that has forged closer ties between France and China.

Among the numerous activities, the presentation of the Parade stage curtain -- a work by Pablo Picasso, the "Treasure of Impressionism" exhibition, and the "Patrouille de France" aerobatic show were the most popular.

Inaugurating the "Year of France in China" last year, the Center Pompidou put on display Picasso's rarely exhibited stage curtain, which he painted for the realist ballet Parade. It was the first time the curtain was shown in Asia. In Hong Kong, it was viewed by about 2 million people.

"The Treasure of Impressionism" exhibition involved a collection from French museums comprising 50 masterpieces by renowned artists including Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cezamme.

Held for the first time on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, the exhibition enabled the Chinese public to appreciate Impressionism through its history, themes and what it initiated for the further of Western pictorial art of the 20th century. In Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, the exhibition nearly attracted 1 million visitors.

In October last year, French President Jacques Chirac officiated at the opening ceremony of the Presentation of Picasso's stage curtain for Parade in Hong Kong, which also marked the launch of the "Year of France in China" in the city.

Secretary-General of the Honorary Committee of the "Year of France in China" Serge Dumont said the cultural campaign offered an opportunity to present France under a multitude of perspectives and a highly diversified and entertaining program to a vast audience in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

He said he was delighted with the success of the campaign and that it will have a lasting and positive impact on the relationship between China and France.

Besides "The Eiffel Tower by Lubliner," a gala dinner, an advertising campaign and other events have also been carried out in Hong Kong to celebrate the successful completion of the cultural campaign.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2005)