Chinese and Japanese artists began to show their calligraphic works and seal cuttings in the style of ancient Chinese characters carved on tortoise shells or animal bones, in Beijing on Saturday in a bid to enhance cultural ties between the two neighbors.

The inscriptions on tortoise shells or animal bones were used in China's Shang Dynasty (16th-11th centuries, BC). The earliest tortoise shells with inscriptions were found in Henan Province, central China, in 1899 when the local people were looking for "dragon's bones" for medicine.

Also on display are pictures taken at the site of archeological excavation and calligraphic works from Taiwan.

Such inscriptions are regarded as the origination of modern Chinese characters, which are also used in the Japanese language.

The exhibition will last till Tuesday in the Chinese National Museum and then be moved to Henan Province.

The same exhibition was held in Japan last year.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2005)