A collection of ancient Egyptian treasures worth US$260 million will debut in the Shanghai International Exhibition Center on Saturday after a customs inspection Wednesday, officials said. 

The treasures to be shown include 143 items from the National Museum of Egypt in Cairo, including statues of Ramses II, Amenhemat III and Queen Nefertiti.

A prominent sculpture of a cobra goddess dating back more than 3,500 years is also among the exhibits, which arrived in Shanghai Pudong International Airport Tuesday and were escorted by armed police to the exhibition center.

The antiques, insured for some US$194 million, will be on show from Oct. 18 to Nov. 18, officials said, adding that the items mainly focus on the daily life, religious beliefs and funeral customs of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, officials and civilians.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)