A note and coin exhibition began yesterday in this capital of south China's Guangdong Province to promote local people's awareness of counterfeit banknotes.

The exhibition displayed ancient Chinese coins, Renminbi notes, fake Renminbi notes, electronic currency, gold and silver commemorative coins, foreign currencies and currency counting machines.

The exhibition is co-sponsored by the Guangzhou Branch of the People's Bank of China and the just-founded money society of Guangzhou.

Unlike other similar activities with solely commercial purposes, the exhibition also aims to give people knowledge about how to avoid being cheated by fake Renminbi notes, sources said.

Statistics show that in the city alone a total of 70 million Yuan (US$8.4 million) of Renminbi notes in face-value was seized last year. A bank official said the exhibition will help people fight against fake Renminbi notes.

(Eastday.com.cn 06/09/2001)