A full house and thunderous applause for China's fashion show at the National Theater in Brasilia last night heralded the opening of the Sino-Brazilian Women's Culture Week.

Marcia Campos, president of the Women's Federation of Brazil (WFB), said the exchange would contribute to unity between Chinese and Brazilian women. "Our cooperation will set an example for women in other parts of the world."

Gu Xiulian, chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), is heading a delegation of about 100 Chinese women to help launch the program in the Brazilian capital.

Co-organized by the ACWF and WFB, the week includes seminars on women's political participation and women entrepreneurs, photo exhibitions, handicraft workshops and fashion shows in Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

The program will be a "showcase of China's development," showing Brazilians the charm of Chinese culture and the elegance of Chinese women, Gu said.

"The long distance between the two countries should not necessarily block their friendly cooperation," Gu said at the opening ceremony. "The women from both countries will learn from each other to work for better cooperation."

According to Xinhua News Agency, on the same day China Culture Month was formally inaugurated in Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, in celebration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar.

(China Daily June 9, 2005)