CSI/CUNY News Release
	For Immediate Release

Focus on Western China  -  Beijing Photo Exhibition

Staten Island, NY – February 7, 2005 –  Focus on Western China is an exhibition of 50 works by famous photographers from Beijing.  The photographs highlight the rugged mountains and rivers of Western China, the extensive and abundant natural resources, and intriguing folk customs of the region.

WHAT:          Focus on Western China  -  Beijing Photo Exhibition

WHERE:         College of Staten Island

                   Campus Center (1C) Park Café

                   2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island NY 10314

WHEN:          February 7-24, 2005

                   11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday thru Thursday

The exhibit showcases the towering Meili Snow Mountain, the glorious Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, range upon range of hills on the Loess Plateau, the fishing lights on Li River in Guilin, the high waves of the Yellow River, the vast expanse of Badain Jaran Desert, galloping horses on the north grasslands of the Great Wall, the gorgeous scenery of the nature reserves, the mysterious site of ancient Guge Kingdom in Tibet, the ancient Buddhist temples, the simple towns and dwellings, the curling smoke from kitchen chimneys, the solemn religious ceremonies, the vibrant holiday activities, and the vigorous appearance of people of various nationalities.

This exhibit is presented by the Beijing Photographers' Association in conjunction with the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and sponsored by the US-China People's Friendship Association (New York City Chapter) and the Center for International Services at the College of Staten Island/CUNY.

Photographers include:

Chi Yujie is a photographer for the Beijing Political Consultative Conference, a member of Chinese Photographers' Association and a council member of Beijing Photographers' Association.  Since the 1980s, many of his works have been selected for nationwide exhibitions. Mr. Chi was granted a government award for his art achievements in 2003.

Min Qiang is a member of Chinese Photographers' Association, Beijing Photographers' Association and Chinese Great Wall Association, teaches photography in Beijing United University. He won the nomination for the first Golden Figure Award of Chinese Photography in 1989.

Zhai Dongfeng is an independent photographer and a member of the Chinese Photographers' Association.  In 1997 Mr. Zhai won the Golden Figure Award of Chinese Photography, the greatest honor for photographers in China.

The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation’s leading urban university. CSI offers 35 academic programs, 15 graduate degree programs, and challenging doctoral programs to 12,000 students.

The 204-acre landscaped campus of CSI, the largest in NYC, is fully accessible and contains an advanced, networked infrastructure to support technology-based teaching, learning, and research. For more information, visit www.csi.cuny.edu

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