Beijing's first artwork auction for 2005 will open this Friday at China International Trade Center.

Almost 1,200 items which fall into the categories of porcelains, Chinese paintings and calligraphies will be auctioned off.

A precious green-glaze jade vase made in Yuan Dynasty is predicted to reach the highest price.

According to Sun Xiangdong, a consultant from the auction company, there are only two such jade vases in the world, the other is on display at the Tokyo National Museum of Japan.

 (CRI.com January 4, 2005)