The Roman, Greek and Egyptian antiquities are coming to China courtesy of the British Museum and its touring exhibit titled'Treasures of the World's Cultures'.

The exhibition is scheduled to open in Beijing on March 18.

A total of 272 artifacts will be on show, said Guo Xiaoling, curator of the Capital Museum, on Wednesday.

Treasures on show also include ancient Egyptian tablets, Greek busts, Roman sculptures and the world's oldest tool.

However, no Chinese items collected by British Museum will be on display in Beijing.

"There is no need to bring Chinese items here," said Jane Portal, assistant curator of the British Museum.

"The two and a half month exhibition will enable Chinese audiences an opportunity to enjoy the collection of a world class museum without going abroad," Guo said.

Five lectures on world history have been arranged during the exhibition. Students studying world history in Beijing's universities have volunteers to provide consultations and other services to visitors.

In the exhibition hall, guide Li Xue is rehearsing an explanation of how the mummies were made in ancient Egypt.

"I have recited it for three days. It's my first time to practice the explanation in front of the antiques today," Li said, adding that her tour is free to museum guests.

Guo said it is the first large-scale international exhibition since the newly-built Capital Museum opened last year and it will put its new equipment and technology to the test.

The temperature and humidity controls and the security system of the museum will guarantee the safety of the antiques, Guo said.

The Treasures of the World's Cultures collection has shown in Japan and the Republic of Korea, attracting 1.3 million during its four city tour in Japan and a 600,000 in Seoul.

Portal said the British Museum is planning to hold more exhibitions in China in the future in cooperation with the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China.

The British Museum is also thinking of showing Chinese treasures in Britain, Portal added. Enditem