Two thousand seniors from 11 countries gathered in Beijing Tuesday for cultural exchange through the 4th International Senior Citizen's Cultural Festival (ISCF).

The elderly from China, Japan, Korea, The United States, France, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Mongolia took part in various activities launched by the ISCF, including exhibitions, cultural forums and theatrical performances.

"The establishment and development of the ISCF has profound significance for promoting the exchange of different cultures and strengthening friendship among people from different countries," said Ren Jianxin, former secretary of Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the auditorium of the CPPCC at the opening ceremony Tuesday morning.

"I made my first visit to China 15 years ago when the ancient artwork in world-renowned Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang City arrested me. I am very interested in Chinese traditional culture." said an 86-year-old Japanese woman, the oldest person at the festival.

The ISCF originated from meeting of seniors from China, Korea and Japan in Beijing three years ago. Afterwards this party was named by the UN Economic and Social Council as the International Senior Citizen's Cultural Festival. The festival was held in Soul and Tokyo the following years.

The 4th ISCF, sponsored by China Senior Citizen's Association of Cultural Exchange and Chinese Association for Cultural Exchanges with Foreign Countries, lasts till Wednesday.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2004)