An international art exhibit, the largest and of the highest standard since new China was founded in 1949, opened in Beijing on Tuesday to mark the August Olympiad.

Themed "Colors and Olympics," the Beijing International Art Biennial features 747 sculptures and paintings by 701 artists from 81 countries.

They were selected from nearly 10,000 art items submitted by 83 countries, the organizer said.

Meanwhile, five special shows are being staged alongside the main exhibition, dedicated to the arts of Britain, Norway, Mexico, Mongolia and modern print respectively.

The exhibition, in the National Art Museum of China, will run until August 12.

It was expected to help further enhance the cultural atmosphere of the Beijing Olympics, opening August 8, a museum spokesman said.