The Festival of China in Washington kicks off

A Chinese dancer performs at the opening ceremony of the Festival of China, an unprecedented culture event cosponsored by China and the United States, in the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington October 1, 2005. The Festival of China kicked off here on Saturday with dazzling art shows, joyous celebrations and firework displays. Serving as a medium to show the Chinese people's openness to the world, it will run through October and feature dozens of shows, exhibitions and performances.

Chinese artist performs at the opening ceremony of the Festival of China, an unprecedented culture event cosponsored by China and the United States, in the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington October 1, 2005. The Festival of China kicked off here on Saturday with dazzling art shows, joyous celebrations and firework displays. Serving as a medium to show the Chinese people's openness to the world, it will run through October and feature dozens of shows, exhibitions and performances.

Chinese Culture Minister Sun Jiazheng and Stephen Shwarzman, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center,cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Festival of China, an unprecedented culture event cosponsored by China and the United States, in the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington October 1, 2005. The Festival of China kicked off here on Saturday with dazzling art shows, joyous celebrations and firework displays. Serving as a medium to show the Chinese people's openness to the world, it will run through October and feature dozens of shows, exhibitions and performances.

Chinese artists perform at the opening ceremony of the Festival of China, an unprecedented culture event cosponsored by China and the United States, in the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington October 1, 2005. The Festival of China kicked off here on Saturday with dazzling art shows, joyous celebrations and firework displays. Serving as a medium to show the Chinese people's openness to the world, it will run through October and feature dozens of shows, exhibitions and performances.

Chinese artists perform at the opening ceremony of the Festival of China, an unprecedented culture event cosponsored by China and the United States, in the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington October 1, 2005. The Festival of China kicked off here on Saturday with dazzling art shows, joyous celebrations and firework displays. Serving as a medium to show the Chinese people's openness to the world, it will run through October and feature dozens of shows, exhibitions and performances.

Chinese Beijing Opera artists perform at the opening ceremony of the Festival of China, an unprecedented culture event cosponsored by China and the United States, in the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington October 1, 2005. The Festival of China kicked off here on Saturday with dazzling art shows, joyous celebrations and firework displays. Serving as a medium to show the Chinese people's openness to the world, it will run through October and feature dozens of shows, exhibitions and performances.