Alphajets of the Patrouille de France (PAF) of France Air Force perform during a media preview above the Nanyuan Airport in Beijing, Oct. 6, 2004.  (Xinhua Photo/Zhang Yuwei)

Alphajets of the Patrouille de France (PAF) of France Air Force perform during a media preview above the Nanyuan Airport in Beijing, Oct. 6, 2004.  (Xinhua Photo/Zhang Yuwei)

A pilot of the Patrouille de France (PAF) of France Air Force peers out of his cockpit after landing from a performance for media preview at the Nanyuan Airport in Beijing, Oct. 6, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Zhang Yuwei)

Photographers focus on the sky during the media preview of the Patrouille de France (PAF) of France Air Force at the Nanyuan Airport in Beijing, Oct. 6, 2004.  (Xinhua Photo/Zhang Yuwei)

A photographer works during the media preview of the Patrouille de France (PAF) of France Air Force at the Nanyuan Airport in Beijing, Oct. 6, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Zhang Yuwei)

French aerobatics show to open French Culture Year

    BEIJING, Oct. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The famous aerobatics team with French Air Force, "Patrouille de France (PAF)," will perform in Beijing Thursday for French President Jacques Chirac's state visit to China.

    Kicking off French Culture Year, the aerobatics show will bring French culture and spirit to China, said a Chinese sponsor.

    The aerobatics team conducted warm-up training Wednesday afternoon. Every measure has been taken to ensure the performers' safety, the sponsor said.

    The PAF, with 10 high-performance Alpha jets, will present Chinese audiences with the latest aerobatics maneuvers and formations.

    The troupe will also visit Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Zhuhai, a coastal city of south China's Guangdong Province, and Hong Kong.

    French President Jacques Chirac and Chinese President Hu Jintaowill watch the opening of the French Culture Year in China during the former's visit to China from Oct. 8 to 12.

    Though France is only China's fourth-largest trading partner inthe EU, bilateral trade grew strongly last year and is expected to increase by 40 percent this year. Enditem