A photo show of the World Heritage in China was opened on the 18th in Philippines' Ilocos Norte, a place separated from China only by a stretch of water, and thus started the prolog to a series of activities held round the country to make known China's long-standing culture and photosque scenery.

Over 100 local government officials, scholars and people in educational and cultural circles attended the opening ceremony. All were full of praise for China's rich cultural heritage and tourist resources, as intoxicated by the 60 photos focused on the 27 sites of China's cultural and natural heritage, such as those depicting the Great Wall, the Potala Palace in Tibet, the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, etc.

The show was the first in recent years to introduce Chinese culture and history in places outside Manila. It had evoked strong repercussions in local communities. The cultural attaché of Chinese Embassy Yu Fan said that the show would help people to understand China's sustained efforts in protecting cultural and natural heritage. What the photos display is a part of the cultural and natural heritage shared by the whole mankind, he said. Therefore, the show will not only make a lasting impression on visitors of China's splendid culture, long history and fantastic landscape, but also arouse their enthusiasm for the protection of world cultural and natural heritage.

Ilocos Norte is one of the northernmost provinces in Philippines. It is also a province nearest to China in distance. Overseas Chinese have made outstanding contributions for local social and economic development. Lots of visitors yearning for a sight of China were greatly interested in the show. President of Marinoa Marcos University Dr. Satel Nino Aukanbo who provided the venue for the show, said that China's cultural and natural sights were stirringly attractive. He expressed his hope that there would be more tourist and cultural exchanges between the two countries so that more Philippine people could enjoy China's cultural splendor and scenic beauty. He wished that the photo show of the World Heritage in China could be displayed over a longer period of time and he'll have a copy kept forever in his university.