Brazil's National Historical Museum ready to welcome visitors during G20 Summit

Brazil's National Historical Museum, a popular cultural attraction in Rio de Janeiro, is fully prepared to welcome visitors from around the world during the G20 Summit.

The 19th G20 Summit is scheduled to be held in Brazil's second-largest city Rio from Nov 18 to 19. With the leaders of the 19 member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union in attendance, the city now is the center of global attention.

To enhance the touring experience for international visitors, the museum has prepared bilingual exhibitions and reception services, and offers free admission to all.

"We prepared ourselves to receive people from all over the world. We hired bilingual receptionists. We hired bilingual receptionists, and our exhibition is mainly bilingual as well. We are not charging fee to the entrance of the museum, so most people can come here," said Pedro Heringer, the museum's curator.

Established in 1922, the castle-like museum holds more than 287,000 items from different historical periods in Brazil, featuring artifacts from the Portuguese royal family that once lived in Rio during the colonial period.

"Mostly about colonial Brazil and the Brazilian empire, before we became a republic. I think it's a very good place for foreigners to come," said Andre, a Brazilian visitor.

Brazil's National Historical Museum ready to welcome visitors during G20 Summit

Brazil's National Historical Museum ready to welcome visitors during G20 Summit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday urged efforts to build safe, comfortable, green and smart homes to better meet people's high-quality housing needs. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when he visited a construction technology exhibition in Beijing

The needs of various groups with different living habits, age ranges and economic capabilities should be taken into consideration -- especially new demand in such areas as aging adaptability and child-friendliness -- in the construction of new homes and in renovating existing homes, the premier said.

He called for efforts to advance scientific and technological innovation, and improve design, construction and maintenance levels, with the aim of promoting the high-quality development of the real estate and construction industries.

Li noted that urban renewal is an important task for ongoing urban construction. He said that combining the improvement of people's livelihoods with the expansion of domestic demand is necessary, as is strengthening efforts to renovate old urban residential compounds, urban villages and dilapidated houses.

Li also stressed the importance of protecting and passing on historical and cultural heritage in the urban renewal process, as part of efforts to build harmonious cities and ensure residents can live happily.

Chinese premier urges construction of good housing to better meet people's needs