The China-UK Women's Cultural Festival, with a theme of "Women and the Olympics," is scheduled for February 10-17 in London and Durham, Britain.

The festival, jointly organized by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), the London Mayor's Office and the Organizing Committee for China Now, aims to increase understanding between Chinese and British women as well as drawing specific links between the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, to be held in Beijing and London, respectively.

The main activities of the festival include a forum on women and the Olympics, a photo show on Chinese women, a meeting of Chinese and British businesswomen, and performances by a Chinese children's troupe.

Organizers said that the festival would be one of the highlights of China Now and China in London 2008, two major galas set for the year in Britain.

Gu Xiulian, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and president of the ACWF, will lead a delegation of 80, including government officials, officers for the Olympics, athletes, and businesswomen, to the festival.

At the forum, the main part of the festival, participants from both countries are expected to exchange views on such topics as creation of business opportunities for women arising from the Olympics and how the Games influence women's lives.

The performances by the children feature Chinese folk music, dancing and martial arts.

"We hope the various activities are able to reflect progress and development of Chinese women and children, and the good wishes of the Chinese people for peace, the Olympics and a harmonious society," said Zhao Shaohua, vice president of the ACWF.

The ACWF staged its first women's cultural festival in France in 2004 and has since held similar events in Russia, Brazil, Thailand and South Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)