An exhibition on clothing culture of the 56 Chinese ethnic groups opened Saturday at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) in the western US state of California.

The garment exhibition, which runs from March 3 through July 3, is the first of its kind that the SFPL has introduced, offering a chance for those in the San Francisco Bay Area to get a glimpse of the colorful and diverse Chinese folk art, with each costume on display reflecting a unique pattern and style of some Chinese ethnic group.

All exhibits were donated by Yi Chen Wu Yue Clothing and Accessories Company -- a Beijing-based manufacturer that specializes in Chinese national costumes -- to Dasen American Academy, a non-profit program established by Xiebing Cauthen in California in 2002.

At the opening ceremony, a dozen models wearing part of the collection gave a short fashion show to demonstrate the traditions of China's ethnic wear.

Zha Liyou, deputy consul general of China in San Francisco, said that China is a country of great civilization with diversified ethnic cultures.

These pictures and costumes are impressive and powerful from the perspective of cultural influence, Zha said.

"I hope that, through this show, the Chinese community together with other ethnic communities in the United States will work together to create a better future," said Zha.

An organizer of the exhibition said the event is an epitome of the important cultural exchange between China and the United States.