More cultural exchanges between China and western countries are on the way, with a marble Venus statue arriving at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

The graceful mannered statue, together with other 172 precious cultural relics from Italy, will be shown at an Ancient Roman Civilization Exhibition, scheduled to open June 1.

The items on display reflect the formation and development of the Roman civilization.

Meanwhile, a total of 106 cultural relics from China will be shipped to Athens for display during the 2004 Olympic Games in August.

The relics include 20 under the highest level of state protection and most of them have never been put on public display on the Chinese mainland.

In return, a group of state treasures from Greece will be sent to Beijing in 2008 when the Olympics are held in the Chinese capital.

Source: China Radio International