The France-China Exchange Years end this weekend.

"My dream of appreciating an original Renoir painting came true when the French impressionist painting show was held at the National Art Museum of China last October," said Zhang Lin, an art lover from Beijing.

Besides this art show, more than 300 French performances and exhibitions have been held in the Year of France in China from October 2004 to September 2005, bringing a refreshed picture of French culture to the Chinese people.

With the year-long French cultural feast coming to the end, over 20 activities have been organized to wind up the Year of France in China. Among them are Sophie Marceau's movie show from September 16 to 17 and the Summer Palace Mid-Autumn performance on Saturday evening.

The Year of France in China was the second part of a France-China cultural exchange initiative agreed on by the presidents of the two countries.

The two-year long France-China Exchange Years are unprecedented cultural events in both countries, said Meng Xiaosi, vice minister of culture, at a concluding news conference on Friday. France is the first country in the world to hold cultural exchanges with China. Many countries now plan to hold cultural exchange programs with China, said Meng.

On Friday, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, French minister of culture and communication, presented official medals to Meng and Culture Minister Sun Jiazheng for their contributions.

(China Daily September 17, 2005)