The First Beijing International Chinese Antiques Fair opened with a ceremony held on Friday at the Golden Hall in the Beijing Hotel.

More than 100 antique pieces were on display, including ancient porcelains, paintings, bronzes and jade, as well as silk and bamboo furniture from different periods.

Foreign exhibitors from the UK, France, Switzerland, Thailand and other countries are taking part in the Fair. Most of the pieces on display have spent time abroad - some have only recently returned to China while others are still owned by foreign collectors.

One of the sponsors of Fair is the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage. According to its director, Kong Fanzhi, the general focus of the exhibition is on the status of Chinese antiques currently located overseas and their possible return to China.

He also explained why Beijing was an ideal antique auction and trade center for the country.

"Thanks to the rapid growth of the Chinese economy, and with more regard paid to traditional cultural relics nowadays, the antique market in Beijing is well developed. As the capital city, Beijing is also a historical city with rich culture and antiques.

There were hundreds of antiquaries here in the Qing Dynasty. No wonder the industry of antiques thrives again in Beijing. The total value of the antique trade via auction last year was 8 billion RMB and it is sure to exceed that this year."

The fair will remain open until next Tuesday.