Works of calligraphy by nearly 200 Chinese historical figures from a century ago went on show Wednesday in the China History Museum in the Chinese capital of Beijing.

The exhibition, sponsored by the history museums of the mainland and Taiwan and a calligraphy foundation in Taiwan, aims to promote calligraphy in China and abroad in an age when more people write with computers and the use of pens and brushes declines.

A total of 179 works written by famous calligraphers, historians, educationists and figures in other fields are being exhibited from March 20 to May 15.

All of the works were collected by He Guoqing, board chairman of the Calligraphy Foundation in Taiwan. He said that the exhibition was the epitome of Chinese modern history, especially the history of culture.

Zhu Fenghan, curator of the China History Museum, said the recent cooperation between the history museums of the mainland and Taiwan have pushed forward cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Straits.

The show is expected to attract many visitors from the West.

"Chinese calligraphy is pleasing to eye. In the West, more and more people like Chinese calligraphy," said French woman Claire Nurcombe, who spent most of the morning in the museum.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2002)