A group of 20 Chinese artists are making a huge painting to mark the bombing in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, wartime capital during the World War II.

Chen Kezhi, chief artist of the team, said here Friday that the painting, seven meters long and two meters high, will be exhibited in China, the United States and Germany upon completion in 2005.

The painting includes 10 chapters and highlights the tragedy and spiritual status of the common people during the war, including the disaster in an air-raid shelter, where about 2,500 people died after a five-hour bombing by the Japanese, Chen said.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the allied victory in World War II and China's victory against the Japanese invading army.

The painting was a unique artwork and a good historical document as well, experts said.

Chen said he will spend 10 years creating 10 big paintings on major issues of China's anti-Japanese war and this painting will be the first one.
 
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2004)