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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Urban Council:

Papermaking was one of the four great inventions of ancient China. It brought a fundamental change to writing material and made an important contribution to the advancement of civilization and culture of mankind.

A map drawn on paper has been unearthed by archaeologists from a Western Han period tomb, No.5 at Fangmatan, Tianshui, Gansu. It proved that paper was already in use in the Western Han period. After that, Cai Lun produced paper of higher quality and much better for writing.

Other than papermaking, printing was also one of the great inventions of ancient China that enhanced cultural diffusion and world communication. Printing was invented between Sui Dynasty and the first half of the Tang period. From China, the technology was transmitted first to Korea, Japan, Vietnam and the Ryukyu Island, as well as the Arab world in the west.

The "Heavenly Creations - Gems of Ancient Chinese Inventions" Exhibition to be held at the Hong Kong Museum of History will show you how these important inventions travelled all over the world. Also on display will be the oldest extant piece of paper in the world and the oldest Chinese seals.

Apart from that, there are eight other topics including astronomy, the compass, gunpowder, agriculture, textiles, ceramics, metallurgy and metalworking, and machinery. More than 250 items selected from numerous museums in China showing the outstanding achievements of Chinese inventions and their respective contribution and significant roles in the advancement of mankind will be displayed.

To obtain more information about the Exhibition, members of the public are welcome to visit the PUC's web site at http://www.usd.gov.hk/hkmh/, or through the 24-hour information hotline at 1878 808.

Standard admission fee is HK$20. Full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens will enjoy a concessionary fee of HK$10. Admission charges will be waived for group visitors of 20 or more from schools which are required to apply a month in advance. The Museum will be closed on Fridays effective from October 1.

The "Heavenly Creations - Gems of Ancient Chinese Inventions" Exhibition, to be held between September 29, 1998 and January 3, 1999 at the Museum at 100 Chatham Road South, is organised by the PUC's Hong Kong Museum of History and the People's Republic of China's National Museum of Chinese History, and sponsored by Rolex and the Chinese History and Culture Educational Foundation for Youth.

End/Saturday, September 5, 1998

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