ChinaDaily[980104-8]

[Chinese News]

China Daily

98 / 01 / 04 /

***************************************************************************
1. Red base integrates beauty, history
2. Agencies promote stylish tour to Thailand
3. What's on (Page 6, Date: 01/03/98)
4. [INLINE]
5. [INLINE] __
***************************************************************************

Red base integrates beauty, history
IMAGINE a city with a primitive forest at its centre.
It wouldn't be very hard if you have been to Jinggangshan in East
China's Jiangxi Province.
The city, with an area of 67,000 hectares and a population of
58,000, boasts a forest coverage of 80.1 per cent. In winter,
these trees play a major part in blocking the cold wind from the
north, making the long season in Jinggangshan mild.
Known as the cradle of the Chinese revolution, Jinggangshan made
its name during the Second Civil Revolutionary War (1927-37) when
Mao Zedong led Red Army soldiers to fight against the Kuomintang.
Even today, the various museums and memorials in the city are
still a must-see item on any travel schedule.
But the mountainous city has much more to offer.
The world's largest primitive broad-leaf forest, near the Tropic
of Cancer, for example, is one thing tourists shouldn't miss, even
though their enjoyment of it is presently confined to its outer
perimeters.
The existence of the 7,000-hectare forest itself is a wonder since
regions at the same latitude around the earth are mostly deserts.
On a fine day, trees in an array of colours from chartreuse to
deep green are silhouetted against the blue sky and bathed in
mists rising up from the valley.
Spared destruction during the Quaternary Glacial Period, the area,
with its rugged terrain and variety of surroundings, has provided
a safe natural habitat for a large number of plants and animals,
many of which no longer exist in other parts of the world.
The 67,000-hectare Jinggangshan area possesses 3,800 kinds of
trees and plants of 400 species, including rare ones like the
ginkgo and Chinese yew trees. The latter, which is a kind of fir
tree with red fruit, is the tree of the city.
But for most people, the name Jinggangshan brings to mind the
azalea.
In this area alone, 20 varieties of azaleas have been discovered.
When coming into full blossom in May, azaleas of various colours
-- red, pink, yellow and white -- spread over an area of 5 square
kilometres, dotting the green mountain and sparkling in the haze.
Perhaps to ordinary Chinese, the most familiar scenic spot in
Jinggangshan is Five Fingers Peak, reaching 1,586 metres above sea
level. It is jokingly referred to as the most expensive scenic
spot in China because it appears on the back of China's 100-yuan
note.
Seen from the terrace of the newly completed Jinggangshan
Revolutionary Martyrs' Memorial, the five peaks actually do look
just like five fingers.
Most people first got to know Jinggangshan through Mao Zedong's
poem exalting the victory in the Battle of Huangyangjie, and the
place remains one of the most-visited spots in the city.
With an elevation of 1,254 metres, Huangyangjie, standing on the
border of Jiangxi and Hunan provinces, is an ideal location to
enjoy the sunrise and the sea of clouds.
As a matter of fact, the place was originally called Wangyangjie,
which in Chinese means "the place of the sea," a reference to the
surging sea of clouds. Because of the similarity in pronunciation
of huang and wang in the local dialect, the name first appeared in
Mao Zedong's poem as "Huangyangjie," a mistake, but the name still
sticks today.
The surprise Jinggangshan brings doesn't simply stop there.
For a long time after the trip, tourists can still savour the
unforgettable memory of the trip --both in their minds and in
their daily life.
Bamboo handicrafts, for instance, delicately made and in a variety
of forms, make excellent souvenirs.
And gourmets are sure to return home with a heavy load of local
produce. Jinggangshan, with an average elevation of 500 metres,
abounds in alpine products. The most unique among them is bamboo
fungus. It has a taste similar to that of both bamboo shoots and
fungus.
"Red rice and pumpkin soup" have become legendary menu items since
the 1930s. Back then, they were the survival food for Red Army
soldiers. Tourists today can still order the two in any restaurant
in Jinggangshan. Many do this simply out of curiosity.
But six decades later, the improved red rice has almost lost its
roughness and the pumpkin dishes are tasty and sweet.
That's just like the city.
Tourists travel all the way there looking for history and hardship
in wartime, but they are bound to be surprised by the many new and
unexpected things they discover there.
In the past five years, about 4 million tourists have visited
Jinggangshan, including many from overseas. The total number of
tourists for 1997 was expected to reach 1 million, according to
statistics from the local government.
The Jinggangshan area already offers more than 40 scenic spots in
eight tourist zones. But some surprises are in the offing, as the
local government is planning to open more scenic spots to the
public in the near future.
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 01/03/98_
_Author: Shao Zongwei_
_Copyright© by China Daily_

***************************************************************************

Agencies promote stylish tour to Thailand
TRAVELLING to Thailand has always been an attraction for Chinese
people because of its low cost. But nine domestic foreign tour
operators and Thai Airways International (Thai) said they are
going to make the journey more stylish and comfortable.
The Chinese version of Royal Orchid Holiday, a 30-year-old
vacation plan offered by Thai for its global customers, was
formally launched in Beijing on December 19. Nine domestic travel
agencies joined Thai's efforts by picking up customers and helping
them go through all the necessary formalities. These agencies are
China International Travel Service (Cits), China Travel Service
(CTS), China Youth Travel Service, China Kanghui Travel Service,
China Investment International Tourist Corp, China Women Travel S
ervice, Beijing Overseas Tourism Corp and the Beijing branches of
Cits and CTS.
Different from average group tours, Royal Orchid customers can
start travel on any date. They leave China as individual
travellers and need not wait for a tour group to be gathered.
After they arrive at the airport in Bangkok, they will be
assembled by Elite Travel & Tour Co Ltd, a local tour agency
responsible for their stay in Thailand.
"Through our co-operation with Thai, the image of travelling to
Thailand can be enhanced," said Li Luan, Cits president.
A five-night stay in Thailand through Royal Orchid will cost 5,430
(US$650) yuan per head, about 1,000 yuan (US$120) higher than most
travel packages to Thailand sold on the market.
Only Chinese citizens holding five-year private passports can take
Royal Orchid holidays.
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 01/03/98_
_Author: Wang Huaiyu_
_Copyright© by China Daily_

***************************************************************************

What's on (Page 6, Date: 01/03/98)
EXHIBITIONS
Contemporary art -- Red Gate Gallery is hosting an exhibition of
original works by some of China's finest contemporary artists of
the past 10 years in the 1994-98 BHP Calendars of Contemporary
Chinese Art Exhibition. The show, which features artists like Su
Xingping, Zeng Fanzhi and Guo Jin, will be extended to January 4.
Time: 11 am-6 pm, everyday until January 4
Place: Level 3, China World Hotel, China World Trade Centre
Telephone: 6505-2266 ext 6821/5729
Guardian auction -- The 39th Guardian Weekend Auction will be held
on January 4 at Swissotel Beijing. Going under the hammer are over
200 Chinese paintings and calligraphies, about 240 pieces of
ceramics, jadeware, snuff bottles, bronze, and 80 pieces of
jewelry.
The Chinese painting section includes works by masters like Qi
Baishi, Tang Yun, Li Kuchan, and Fan Zeng. The highlight of this
auction is the masterpiece ceramics from the Ming & Qing
dynasties.
Preview: 9 am-5 pm, January 3
Auction: 9 am-6 pm, January 4
Place: Ballroom, Level 2 Swissotel Beijing, Dongsishitiao
Lijiaoqiao
Telephone: 6512-3608
Prints show -- To mark the 80th anniversary of painter Wang Qi's
birth and the 60th anniversary of his artistic life, the Yanhuang
Art Museum will host a retrospective exhibition of Wang's works in
collaboration with the Chinese Artists' Association, the Central
Academy of Fine Arts and the People's Fine Arts Publishing House
from January 4 to 11.
Wang, now a professor with the Central Academy of Fine Arts
(CAFA), graduated from the Shanghai Fine Arts School in 1937 and
went to study in Yan'an, the cradle of the Chinese Revolution, in
the following year. In addition to his teaching at CAFA, he is a
top official with the Chinese Artists' Association and the
editor-in-chief of Fine Arts magazine and Engraving Print
magazine. Over more than half a century, he has participated in
many national and international art exhibitions and held 22
one-man shows.
He has also published many theoretical works on art.
The retrospective show features more than 100 engraving prints, 50
traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphic works.
Time: 9 am--5:30 pm, January 4 to 11
Place: 9 Huizhonglu, Asian Games Village, Chaoyang District
Telephone: 6491-2902
German art -- A modern art exhibition from Bavaria, Germany, will
be held at China National Art Museum.
The art show features more than 100 drawings, photographs and
sculptures by 16 German artists from Bavaria.
These works reflect the development level of art in Bavaria and
Germany as a whole.
Time: 9 am-5 pm, January 6-18
Place: 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District
Telephone: 6401-2252
Oil paintings -- Wanfung Art Gallery is holding an oil painting
exhibition "Scenes of Old Beijing."
On display are more than 20 oil works by three middle-aged,
Beijing-born artists who have captured scenes of old hutongs,
time-honoured gates and life in quadrangles with a true-to-life
effect.
Time: 9 am-6 pm, until January 10
Place: Wanfung Art Gallery, 136 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng
District, Beijing.
Telephone: 6512-7338.
Collection show -- The Beijing International Art Palace is holding
a 40-day oil painting exhibition until February 6.
The oil paintings on display come from the collection of the art
palace and most have been displayed in the gallery of the art
palace.
Set up in 1991, the Beijing International Art Palace has held more
than 200 art shows, including Chinese painting, oil painting, folk
art, and imitations of European classical oil paintings.
Time: 9 am-6 pm, until February 6
Place: 48 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District
Telephone: 6512-5063
Ancient handicrafts -- Beijing Art Museum, situated in the ancient
Wanshou Temple, reopened its Exhibition of Handicrafts in the Ming
and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) on November 28. The exhibition not
only keeps the best items of the old exhibition, but also includes
more than 100 selected treasures from the collection of the
exhibition hall.
The exhibition is divided into six parts: jadeware, wooden and
bamboo carvings, rhinoceros horn, glassware, enamel and
lacquerware.
The treasures display a good mixture of palace art, literati art
and folk art of the Ming and Ching dynasties.
Time: 8.30 am-5 pm, daily
Place: Wanshou Temple, Suzhoujie, Haidian District
Telephone: 6841-3380
Medici collection -- The Italian Medici Collection Show is running
at the Working People's Cultural Palace.
The Medici collection show features original works of Michelangelo
and Sandro Botticelli.
The Medicis were the famous Italian family that ruled Florence
during the Renaissance (1300-1600). Florence at that time was very
prosperous and formed the focus of Renaissance art. The Medicis
patronized Michelangelo, the most famously gifted sculptor of the
Renaissance or perhaps any era.
Through the efforts of the family, especially Lorenzo de Medici,
Florence and their home boasted a rich collection of Renaissance
artwork.
Time: 8 am-5 pm, until January 10
Place: east of Tian'anmen Rostrum
Telephone: 6403-1631
Chinese history -- A display showcasing a new version of the
general history of China is now open in the National Museum of
Chinese History.
More than 5,400 exhibits -- from pottery kitchen utensils, made
more than 10,000 years ago, to the Chinese classics, which have
survived foreign invasions in the late Qing Dynasty -- will be on
display.
They reveal the country's past in a more accurate and multifaceted
way than the museum's perennial display, established in 1959.
In 1988, the museum rearranged exhibits to highlight new
achievements in historical studies and archaeological research.
Nearly 1,000 pieces of important archaeological findings were
added.
With support from the museum workers and historians nationwide,
the 6,000-square-metre exhibition hall of the Beijing museum has
been transformed.
Time: 8:30 am-5 pm, daily
Place: east of Tian'anmen Square
Telephone: 6526-6604, 6512-8901
Gifts on display -- More than 400 gifts received by top Chinese
officials since the foundation of New China in 1949 are on display
at the Chinese Revolutionary Museum.
The collection is one-fourth of the gifts from governments, senior
leaders, non-governmental organizations and individuals from more
than 150 countries. They include gold and silverware, jade and
stone carvings, chinaware, paintings and handicrafts.
A pair of swans with three babies, chinaware sent by former US
President Richard Nixon to Mao Zedong in February 1972, is among
the numerous gifts on display.
Gifts received by Deng Xiaoping include a wooden bird from the US
government in 1979 and a silver yacht from Japanese Prime Minister
Nakasone Yasuhiro in 1984.
Gifts for President Jiang Zemin and other third-generation leaders
are also on display.
The exhibition is sponsored by the International Friendship Museum
of China, which specializes in collecting, storing, studying and
showing foreign gifts given to Chinese leaders.
Time: 8:30 am-5 pm, daily
Place: east side of Tian'anmen Square
Telephone: 6526-3355 ext 2119
EVENTS
Parrots show -- More than 10 species of parrot are now on exhibit
in the Beijing Birds Garden. "The First Precious Parrots Show"
will last until the end of February in 1998.
Occupying an area of 6.7 hectares, Beijing Birds Garden is now
China's only bird protection centre. The garden is trying to
promote people's consciousness of bird protection.
Apart from the parrots, there are more than 3,000 birds of 100
species at the garden, including national first-grade and
second-grade protected birds like white swans and red-crowned
cranes.
Time: 9 am-4 pm, until February
Place: 18 Beitucheng Xilu, Chaoyang District
Telephone: 6237-9927
Flower show -- To celebrate New Year's Day, the Azalea Flower Show
is running at Zhongshan Park's Tanghuawu.
Azalea, with its striking colours and enticing petals, is one of
China's 10 most renowned flowers.
Sponsored by Zhongshan Park and Dandong Azalea Raising Centre in
Southeast China's Heilongjiang Province, the show will present
more than 2,000 different azaleas, among which are many rare
species.
Time: 8 am-5 pm, until January 8
Place: Zhongshan Park, west of Tian'anmen Rostrum, Dongcheng
District
Telephone: 6605-5431
ACROBATICS
Acrobatics -- The China Acrobatic Troupe is juggling, cycling and
tumbling every night at Chaoyang Theatre.
The 46-year-old troupe, one of the best in the country, has toured
more than 60 countries and won international competition awards.
The company's repertoire includes tightrope walking, martial arts
and traditional Chinese magic tricks.
Time: 7:15 pm, daily.
Place: 36 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District
Tel: 6507-2421
STAGE
Russian ballet -- The famous Kremlin Ballet of Russia is set to
return to Beijing after successful tours of Shanghai, Zhengzhou,
Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shantou and Tianjin.
Set up in 1990, the theatre boasts first-class ballet stars. Most
of their repertoire is classical. While maintaining its own unique
style, the theatre also borrows the best from other schools.
Headed by art supervisor Andre Petrov, the 72-member ballet
theatre has just completed a well-publicized one-month China tour.
The theatre will perform the immortal classical "The Nutcracker."
Time: 7:15 pm, January 5
Place: Century Theatre, 40 Liangmaqiaolu, Chaoyang District
Telephone: 6500-3388 ext 530
Real people's drama -- The Beijing People's Art Theatre will
restage the six-act play "Neighbourhood Committee" at the Capital
Theatre. The play boasts a strong Beijing flavour and cast.
Directed by Gu Wei, the play depicts a neighbourhood committee. It
reveals the complicated psychology of today's urban residents. The
play appeals for mutual understanding and tolerance among people,
precious values losing ground in the current commercial whirlwind.
The cast includes Gong Lijun, Wang Danian, Xu Xiulin, Zhang Wankun
and Jin Zhao.
Time: 7 pm, January 2-5
Place: 22 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
Telephone: 6512-1598, 6525-0996
New musical -- The Central Academy of Drama's new production "The
Cat Who Wished to Be a Man" features more than 40 performers,
mostly graduates of a musical class in the academy.
The Japanese musical tells the story of a cat whose wish to become
a man.
The cat-turned-man helps other people in a small town to achieve
happiness and falls in love with a beautiful girl. But the time
limit set by the wizard draws closer and the man knows he must
become a cat again.
This is the second time the troupe has performed "The Cat Who
Wished to Be a Man." In July last year, they staged the American
musical "East Side Story," which was warmly received by the
critics.
Time: 7 pm, January 2-5
Place: Theatre of the Central Academy of Drama, 39 Dong Mianhua
Hutong, Dongcheng District
Telephone: 6403-7634
The hills are alive -- "The Sound of Music" is to be performed by
the Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble. Cheng Fangyuan will play
Maria.
Director Niu Xinci from the Central Opera Institution said she
will try to break away from the influence of the film and bring a
totally new "Sound of Music" full of the spirit of the time.
Cheng Fangyuan has been seeking a breakthrough in her career, and
a year's study in Broadway has benefited her a great deal.
The cast also includes Wang Gang, Li Dandan, a singer from the
China National Opera, and Ballet Theatre, and actor Li Xieping
from the Central Experimental Modern Drama Theatre.
Time: 7:15 pm, January 17-26
Place: Poly Plaza International Theatre, Dongzhimen Nandajie,
Dongcheng District
Telephone: 6495-1005, 6608-4160
Peek-in opera -- Located in an ornate former temple, painted and
draped in a manner fit for royalty, Zhengyici Theatre may be worth
a visit just for a look inside.
Better yet, stick around until the show gets rolling -- live
Peking Opera packaged in short programmes for foreign audiences.
Each act includes a synopsis written in English, similar to the
announcements.
You'll see at least one lively acrobatic or fighting scene. There
are snacks, tea and ice cream during intermission.
Time: 7:15 pm, daily
Place: Zhengyici Theatre, 220 Xiheyan Dajie, Xuanwu District
(behind Hepingmen Roast Duck Restaurant)
Telephone: 6303-6233, 6303-6234
Original opera -- The Liyuan Theatre at Qianmen Hotel is
presenting Peking Opera in original style. The theatre has revived
the ambience of old Beijing by setting up Ming-style tables so
guests can sample snacks during performances.
The performers come from the Beijing Peking Opera Theatre.
Time: 7:30 pm, nightly
Place: 175 Yong'anlu, Xuanwu District
Telephone: 6301-6688 8860
Ballet season -- For the festival season, the Central Opera and
Ballet Theatre will present 21 performances featuring five
classics and a combination of selected ballet episodes, all from
the theatre's repertoire.
From January 2-5, the theatre is staging the modern ballet "The
Red Detachment of Women."
Acclaimed as the first Chinese contemporary ballet, the dance
drama has a unique flavour, different from Western classical
ballets.
Time: 7:15pm, January 2-5, 1998
Place: Beizhan Theatre, 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng District
Reservation: 6405-5512, 6407-3532
Information: 6406-3324, 6406-3325
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 01/03/98_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

***************************************************************************

[INLINE]
[INLINE]

Updated on September 24, 1997

[INLINE]

[INLINE]

_[1]The 15th Party Congress_

_[2]Sep. 12 - Sep.18, 1997_

[INLINE]

[3][LINK] _[4]General Secretary Jiang Zemin's
Report to the 15th Party Congress_
[5][LINK] _[6]New Party Leadership elected,
Top Leaders' Profiles_
[7][LINK] _[8]Communique of 15th CPC Central
Committee's First Plenum_

[INLINE]

Feedback: [9]cd...@chinadaily.net

_Copyright by CBnet ®, China Daily Information_

References

1. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtg124.html
2. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtg124.html
3. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/report.html
4. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/report.html
5. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtgb46.html
6. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtgb46.html
7. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtgb09.html
8. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtgb09.html
9. mailto:cd...@chinadaily.net

***************************************************************************

[INLINE] __



[1][LINK]

[2][LINK]

[3][LINK]

[4][LINK]

[INLINE]

_Chinese, U.S. Presidents Hold Press Conference _

WASHINGTON, October 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Jiang
Zemin and U.S. President Bill Clinton have agreed that China
and the United States should strengthen cooperation in
building a strategic partnership oriented toward the 21st
century, with a view to promoting world peace and
development.
This was stated by Jiang during a joint press conference by
the two presidents Wednesday.
The two presidents also shared the view of holding regular
visits between the two countries' heads of state,
facilitating a Washington-Beijing presidential communications
link, triggering the mechanism of a regular exchange of
visits by foreign ministers and other cabinet officials, as
well as strengthening cooperation in economic, scientific and
technological, cultural, educational fields and in law
enforcement.
Jiang described his talks with Clinton as "constructive and
fruitful," and believed that his ongoing visit could attain
the goal of enhancing mutual understanding, broadening common
ground, developing cooperation and building the future.
The two presidents also agreed to handle bilateral relations
and differences in line with the principles of mutual
respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs,
equality and mutual benefit, and seeking common ground while
putting aside differences.
Clinton said that Jiang's visit to the United States gave
them the opportunity and the responsibility to build a future
that is more secure, more peaceful, more prosperous for both
peoples.
The two countries share a profound interest in a stable,
prosperous and open Asia, and a strong interest in stopping
the spread of weapons of mass destruction and other
sophisticated weaponry, Clinton said.
He said he agreed to move ahead with the U.S.-China agreement
for cooperation concerning the peaceful use of nuclear
energy.
In both China and the United States, trade has been a
critical catalyst for growth, and China is the fastest
growing market in the world for America's goods and services,
Clinton said. He also said the United States would "do
everything possible to bring China into the World Trade
Organization."
Referring to the Taiwan issue, Jiang said that China wishes
to effect the peaceful reunification of the motherland by
means of implementing Deng Xiaoping's concept of "one
country, two systems."
But China is not committed to giving up the use of force in
this regard, he said, adding that this does not target the
Taiwan compatriots, but direct against the foreign force
interfering in Taiwan affairs and against the scheme that
would attempt to separate Taiwan from China.
On the human rights issue, Jiang said the current world is a
rich and diverse one, and concepts on democracy and human
rights and on freedoms are relative and specific ones.
Therefore, they should be determined by the specific national
situation of different countries.

References

1. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/visit/report.htm
2. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/visit/d1-jiang_j15.htm
3. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/visit/comment.htm
4. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/visit/backgrnd.htm

***************************************************************************