The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is located on the southeast corner of Chao Yang Gate, East Second Ring Road, Beijing. It covers an area of 61,000 square metres and has a floor-space of 128,600 square metres. The construction of the building began in June 1993 and was completed in July 1997. Looking from the exterior its grey convex structure gives expression to beauties of ancient Chinese architecture and provides yet an another tranquil setting and grandeur to the bustling metropolitan. Advanced means of modern property management is being applied to ensure the normal and efficient operation of the building.

The Olive Hall

The Oliver Hall is the receiving hall of the Ministry. Its olive shape design projects the theme of peace.    The hall occupies an area of 800 square metres.  The ceiling is of stainless steel structure and glass dotted with lights to provide a natural and harmonious setting.

On the soft coloured front wall is a huge relief "China Civilization" designed by the famous Chinese muralist Mr. Li Linzuo. The work exhibits the 5,000-year brilliant history of the Chinese nation. The mural spreads , from left to right in proper order, the Han Dynasty stone carving statue, the Tang Dynasty Skt. Lokapala statue, the ancient bronze articles, the Chin Dynasty terra cotta warriors, the drum of Chu Culture in the Warring States Period, the Zhou Dynasty bronze coiled dragon, the Han Dynasty jade wearings, the Song Dynasty astronomic graph and compass graph, the Yuan Dynasty rolling dragon, the Ming Dynasty treasure ship used in the Voyage Under Zheng He and the artistic patterns of Long March 2 clustered-on-rocket launch and "four modernization" drive which symbolize our science and technology development.

A fine wood relief screen "the Riverside Scene at the Pure Moon Festival" stands facing the entrance in the hall. The picture of the screen is drawn from the well-known long rolling Chinese painting ":the Riverside Scene at the Pure Moon Festival" of the Painter Zhang Zeduan of Northern Song Dynasty. The wood relief version of "the Hong Qiao Bridge Market", a selection from the orginal painting, has been recreated by the senior craftsman Ma Guangjun in the wood carving process. The screen is 5.6 metres long and 3.1 metres in high. The picture itself on the screen is 4.6 metres in width and 1.58 metres in height. "The Bustling Hong Qiao Bridge Market", climax in "the Riverside Scene at the Pure Moon Festival", vividly describes the bustling scene of the business area of the time. The Hong Qiao Bridge is the centre of the picture . The wooden arch bridge , of great momentum and steadfastness , is a demonstration of the superb engineering skill of bridge construction during the Song Dynasty. Throng of people come and go on the bridge. On either side of the bridge stands a wooden column with a carved crane at the top. They are the memorial mark meant remind the emperors to be diligent in running state affairs and to love the people. On the right, a flotilla of merchant ships are braving against the current under the bridge. This breathtaking scene pushes the whole picture to its climax.

The Press Hall

The Press Hall has a floor-space of 392 square metres with 196 seats. Infrared digital language transmission is being adopted in the simultaneous interpretation system with excellent sound quality and security and with six languages simultaneous interpretation. A large screen at the back of the stage in used for screening movies while a small up-and-down movable screen is installed for VCD in the front. Five speakers including tweeter, midrange and woofer are behind the screens. 16 surround speakers are set up in the walls for stereoscopic film show.

The International Conference Hall

The International Conference Hall occupies an area of 706 square metres with 671 seats. The infrared digital language transmission is also being adopted in the simultaneous interpretation system with good sound quality and security and with 6 languages in use at the time for the press. The amplifying loud-speaker system has dual proposes, one for conferences and the other for the performing arts. 3 tweeters and 2 woofers are behind the screen while 2 front speakers, the speakers for performers, the overhead speakers and the monitor speakers are also installed. 20 surround speakers are pre-installed in the walls for stereoscopic films show. The energy-saving star lights are introduced for the hall lighting while 4 sidelights, overhead lights and face lights have also been set up for the stage. The automatic separating and rising system is introduced for different layers of the stage curtain.

The Meeting and Reception Rooms

The Foreign Ministry has 16 meeting and reception rooms which are used by leading members of the Ministry to meet and receive guests. Every rooms has a different unique decoration. In room 215 for example, a natural marble assembled mural "Wind Rising and Clouds Scudding" is hung on its east wall while the calligraphy work "Wishing Du Shaofu Bon Voyage on Assumption of His Office" by Mr. Shen Peng, Honorary President of China Calligraphy Association hangs on its west wall. Room 216 is another example, A huge Chinese painting by Mr. Wang Chengxi who is the Council Member of the Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Association hangs on its west wall while Comrade Mao Zedong's poem "Ode to Plum Blossom", to the Melody of Bu Suanzi in the calligraphy of Mr. Liu Bingsen who is the Standing Council Member of the Chinese Calligraphy Association, is decorated on its east wall.

The Hall for Negotiation

The Hall for Negotiation sits on the ground floor. As its name goes, the hall is a place for diplomatic talks and the activities of the like. On the front wall of the hall, hangs a huge Chinese painting "the Beautiful Scenery of Yangshou, a work by the late well-known painter Li Keran.

The Flower Bed