ChinaDaily[971206-8]

[Chinese News]

China Daily

97 / 12 / 06 /

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1. Xinjiang allures with its variety
2. HK tourist authority launches campaign
3. Notes (Page 5, Date: 12/06/97)
4. What's on (Page 6, Date: 12/06/97)
5. [INLINE]
6. [INLINE] __
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Xinjiang allures with its variety
THERE is a saying that goes, "If you haven't been to Xinjiang, you
don't know how big China is."
When I travelled there with a group from Beijing in October, I
began to appreciate its truth.
It took us 12 days although we only went to some parts of northern
and eastern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
It was a tiring and time-consuming journey, since we covered more
than 5,000 kilometres by van, horse and on foot. But it was
worthwhile.
In addition to the vast Gobi, we saw many fascinating places.
Located 13 kilometres west of Turpan, in eastern Xinjiang, Jiaohe
is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. It was
classified as an important cultural site under State protection in
1961.
Jiaohe was situated at the juncture of two rivers, hence the name
"Jiaohe" (the city of joining rivers). Built on a loess plateau,
the ancient city was 1,650 metres long and 300 metres wide.
Protected naturally by precipitous cliffs, the city had no
surrounding walls.
During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), the central
government established a "Jiaohebi" (an administrative division)
there, and dispatched a commanding general to the Turpan area.
From the time of the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-534) to the
beginning of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), Jiaohe was under the
jurisdiction of the Gaochang Kingdom. The well-known monk Xuan
Zang of the Tang Dynasty immortalized in "The Journey to the
West," one of China's most loved novels, stopped there on his way
to get Buddhist scriptures from India, and was warmly welcomed by
the king of Gaochang.
From the mid-eighth to mid-ninth century, the city was occupied by
Tibetans. At the end of the 13th century, it was destroyed in
Mongolian aristocratic rebellions.
The size of the existing ruins indicates its great prosperity
during the Tang Dynasty. There are two city gates. The main
southern gate is in ruins. The eastern gate is relatively
well-preserved, with visible gateways and mortise openings for
mounting the gate lintels. Gate fortifications provided for the
defence of the city.
The ruins of the buildings, divided basically into temples,
civilian dwellings and government offices, occupy an area of
220,000 square metres. Entering the southern gate, we saw a
10-metre-wide and 350-metre-long main street leading to the
biggest Buddhist temple, located in the north-central part of the
city.
The tower in front of the temple gate is still intact. Standing on
top of the tower, we enjoyed a panoramic view of the whole city.
In the sunset, the ruins were glittering and magnificent.
In the southern area of the city are located official buildings
and residences, which are the only big buildings built of bricks
and tiles.
The architectural style features some typical elements of the Tang
Dynasty. Courtyards are pits dug in the ground, dwellings are
caves dug into the earth and walls are built of tamped earth.
Houses are two-storeyed without windows and doors on the side
facing the street and courtyard gates are hidden in deep lanes.
Entering into a residence, we tried to figure out the location of
the living rooms and bedrooms.Without clarification from the local
guides, we could only guess.
The guessing game continued on our way out of Jiaohe and into the
famous Grape Valley.
Turpan is well-known for its hot weather and abundance of grapes.
It is China's hottest place in summer, and is referred to as the
"land of fire." The temperature averages 30 degrees centigrade
during June and August. There are 35-50 sweltering days when it is
above 40 degrees centigrade.
The hot weather and abundant sunshine allow Turpan to produce
large quantities of sweet grapes.
When we arrived there, all the grapes had been picked. There are
many mud houses full of small windows. This is where the airing
and drying of grapes take place.
A Uygur woman, Shadahan, said her drying house held 2,000
kilograms of grapes which would produce 400 kilograms of raisins.
The drying usually takes about one month. Sweeter than fresh
grapes, the raisins from Turpan are sold throughout the country.
Another place worth mentioning is Tianchi (Heavenly) Lake, about
110 kilometres from the regional capital, Urumqi. Covering an area
of 4.9 square kilometres, it is a body of peaceful, crystal clear
water lying below the snow-capped peak of Mount Bogda.
The legend goes that it was the Fairyland Pool where the Queen
Mother of the West invited gods and goddesses.
The Kazak people, who are sometimes called the ethnic minority
group on horseback, offer travellers horseback tours to the lake.
After we savoured the beauty of the lake and started to climb the
mountain nearby, a dozen Kazak people circled us and persuaded us
to ride their horses. Although the mountain is very steep, the
horses seemed to be able to go anywhere they were asked. Although
I was frightened by the danger sometimes, my horse carried me
safely to a hilltop pavilion, another place from which to enjoy
the charm of the lake.
If tourists have time, the Kazak guides offer to lead them up the
snow-capped mountains to view the glaciers, and collect mushrooms
and snow-lotus flowers. In the evening, fragrant milk tea, roasted
mutton eaten with the hands and other traditional Kazak foods are
prepared in the tents.
Sayram Lake, located near Hourguosi, a border entry point with
Kazakhstan, is far off the beaten track of tourists.
Much larger than Tianchi Lake, Sayram Lake covers 457 square
kilometres, and is 2,073 metres above sea level. It is the biggest
lake in the region with such a high elevation.
When I saw this vast blue and crystal lake, I couldn't help but
utter a long sigh. The huge expanse of rippling water shimmered
with the reflection of the azure sky and the surrounding
snow-covered mountains.
The lake, with the yellow grasslands nearby dotted with flocks of
sheep and herdsmen riding horses, presented a vision of a pastoral
heaven.
The Urumqi-Yining Highway, the major traffic artery in northern
Xinjiang, with its endless stream of vehicles, passes by the lake
side.
Apart from visiting famous tourist sites, we also tried a few
times to join the locals in the evenings to experience the life in
"the home of songs and dances."
Modern karaoke dancing halls have mushroomed in many cities of
Xinjiang, but traditional local song and dance halls in Urumqi
still enjoy brisk business.
When we entered the hall one night, we saw a woman singing a Uygur
song on the stage and many people sitting around tables enjoying
the music while having food, wine and other drinks.
The music begins slowly and steadily, then picks up speed, and
finally culminates in a flurry of exuberant dancing.
We were invited by some local friends to dance on the stage.
Although there were no fixed movements or patterns, we tried to
learn how to dance harmoniously and gracefully. Men and women
dance in pairs and the dancers did not mix with the singer. The
dance followed the mood of the music and ended on a strong note.
Sometimes the singers came down from the stage and sang and danced
among the audience.
During our tour of Xinjiang, we often found ourselves entering
local bazaars filled with a diverse variety of commodities. The
hottest sellers are jade ornaments, little Uygur hats, knitted
embroidery and Uygur knives.
Since we travelled to Xinjiang in late autumn, we unfortunately
missed the season to savour the green grassland, the colourful
fruit trees and the dense grapevines with clusters of grapes
hanging within easy reach.
All of us said we would try to visit Xinjiang, the land of
vitality and hope, once again, maybe when the grapes are bursting
with fragrance.
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_Date: 12/06/97_
_Author: Hong Xia_
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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HK tourist authority launches campaign
THE Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) recently launched a
"Winter Sensations -- Great Savings, Great Time" campaign from
December 1, 1997 to February 28, 1998.
A "Lai See" (lucky money) envelope of more than HK$9,000 cash
coupons for shops, beauty and healthcare boutiques, sightseeing,
dining and entertainment outlets are provided to the tourists who
book special travel packages to Hong Kong for the winter.
Established in 1957, the tourist authority has taken a leading
role in the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry. Over the
past four decades, Hong Kong has become Asia's most popular
international tourist destination, with the world's top-rated
hotels and highest standards of service. Annual visitor arrivals
have soared from 50,000 in 1957 to more than 10 million for the
first time in 1995.
The tourism industry has become Hong Kong's second-largest
foreign-exchange earner.
Chinese mainland visits have surged in Hong Kong's tourism market.
In the first nine months, 1.69 million tourists from the mainland
visited Hong Kong.
The winter season has traditionally been a golden period for
visiting Hong Kong: the favourable weather, two biggest festivals
and great shopping discounts.
The Chinese New Year Festival (January 26 to 30) will be the high
point of Hong Kong's calendar. Activities include the Chinese New
Year Parade featuring international performing troupes on the
28th, the Chinese New Year Festival and the first horse racing
meet of the year on January 30.
The Chinese New Year Festival, perhaps the biggest public party of
the year, takes place on January 28 and 29, turning Tsim Sha
Tsui's Centenary Garden into a colourful collage of decorations,
cultural performances, fortuneteller stalls, elaborate floats,
food and drinks.
Hong Kong Dragon Airlines will offer a special Beijing-Hong Kong
airfare for tourists. The promotional package, valid from December
15, 1997 to March 31, 1998 will provide tourists a Beijing to Hong
Kong round trip with a four-day, three-night stay at the Kowloon
Shangri-la for 5,770 yuan ($695).
(CD News)
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_Date: 12/06/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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Notes (Page 5, Date: 12/06/97)
HK CD-Rom
THE Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) recently collected top
honours for its "Wonders of Hong Kong" CD-ROM in an international
competition held in Portugal.
Competition came from national tourism boards, attractions,
hospitality outlets, museums and eco-tourism companies from all
over the world.
The "Wonders of Hong Kong" CD-ROM provides interactive text, video
clips, music and pictures enabling users to experience the sights
and sounds of the city. Viewers can also find information about
planning a Hong Kong trip, sightseeing highlights and special
interest activities. The CD is available in computer and book
stores worldwide.
Garden renovated
GUANGZHOU -- Foshan, not far from Guangzhou in Guangdong Province,
is a famous historical city known as a "capital of folk arts."
Apart from its ancient architecture and pottery-making art, the
city has renovated the Liang Garden, one of the four most famous
gardens in Guangdong, to cater more to tourists.
Hotels clean up air
INTERNATIONAL Hotel & Restaurant Association's (IH&RA) the
Courtesy of Choice programme safeguarding air quality in hotels,
bars and restaurants uses existing ventilation systems effectively
to accommodate the preferences of both smokers and non-smokers.
The programme was introduced to Beijing's hospitality industry at
the start of the year by the International Hotel & Restaurant
Association's (IH&RA) and the Beijing Tourism Industry Association
(BTIA).
The BTIA has given the Courtesy of Choice full support by
recognizing its value in promoting harmony among guests and
improving service standards in the local hospitality industry.
Designated smoking and non-smoking areas are available in all
participating hotels. Non-smoking rooms are also available.
Since it was first introduced in the Langham Hilton in London in
1994, the Courtesy of Choice programme has been widely implemented
in hotels and restaurants of 41 countries in the world.
(CD News)
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_Date: 12/06/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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What's on (Page 6, Date: 12/06/97)
EXHIBITIONS
Photo exhibition -- "On the Borders -- Ethnic Minority People in
the Southwest" is running at the Gallery of the Central Academy of
Fine Arts.
The photos of the show depict the lives of different ethnic
minority people, with diverse customs and rich cultures, in
Southwest China and neighbouring countries.
The pictures were taken by Italian photographer Patrizia
Bonanzinga Nelli Feroci during a trip to Yunnan, Tibet and along
the Laos, Myanmar borders.
Time: 10 am-4 pm, until December 9.
Place: Gallery of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, 5 Xiaowei
Hutong, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
Tel: 6528-4838, 6532-2187.
Joint art show -- Seven young artists are holding a joint show
"Urban Love Songs" at the Hanmo Art Gallery.
Time: 10 am-5 pm, until December 28.
Place: Hanmo Art Gallery, Beijing Curio Mansion, Dongsanhuan
Nanlu, Chaoyang District, Beijing.
Tel: 6774-7711 ext 1064.
One-man show -- To mark the 60th anniversary of the Nanjing
Massacre, the China National Art Museum is holding Ding Pin's
one-man show of ink and wash painting depicting atrocities
committed by the invading Japanese army in December 1937.
Time: 9 am-4 pm, December 17-21.
Place: China National Art Museum, 1 Wusi Dajie, Chaoyang District,
Beijing.
Tel: 6401-2252.
Folk art show -- The Qin Gallery is holding a folk art exhibition
of authentic Ming and Qing folk art items including new year
paintings, embroidery, shadow puppets and paper cuttings.
Time: 9:30 am-6 pm, through December 31.
Place: Qin Gallery, Ritan Dongyijie, east of Ritan Park, Chaoyang
District, Beijing.
Tel: 6507-4062.
Israeli paintings -- Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman is
presenting a solo show "Flock of Sheep" at the China National Art
Museum.
The show features 550 colourful oil paintings of sheep heads,
arranged on the museum's floor, giving the visitors a feeling of
walking among an extraordinary flock.
His works have been displayed over the past 30 years in more than
100 famous museums of Israel, USA, Europe, Japan and Korea
including the Metropolitan Museum in New York, Tate Gallery in
London, and Centro d'Art Contemporano in Italy.
Time: 9 am-5 pm, until December 20.
Place: 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 6401-2252
Print paintings -- Chinese print artist Guo Youming will hold his
solo exhibition at the Gulao Art Gallery from December 9-19.
Guo has studied and worked in Japan for eight years. After
returning to China in 1995, he has presented his works in various
exhibitions in the capital.
Time: 10 am-6 pm, December 9-19.
Place: Gulao Art Gallery, Ritan Dongyijie, east of Ritan Park,
Chaoyang District.
Tel: 6507-3073.
STAGE
Musical from Singapore -- At the invitation of the Central Opera
and Ballet Dance Theatre, "Chang & Eng," a full-length English
musical produced by the Action Theatre from Singapore will make
its Beijing premiere from December 9 to 11.
The musical, conceptualized, produced and directed by Thai-born
Ekachai Uekrongtham, is based on the true life story of Siamese
Twins in the early 1800s who yearned for separate lives but
finally learned to co-exist.
Joined at the chest by a mysterious band of flesh at birth, the
Siamese twins Chang and Eng were destined to spend every moment of
their lives together. Condemned by their neighbours as a bad omen,
they were saved by the love of their mother and were invited to
appear before the King of Siam.
Subsequently brought to the United States and exhibited as special
attractions, they fell in love with two American sisters and went
on to father 21 children.
The musical will be performed in English with Chinese subtitles.
Time: 7 pm, December 9-11.
Place: Century Theatre,
Tel: 6512-3388 ext 317, 6233-0481.
Ballet for workers -- Too high prices often make ordinary
theatre-goers think twice before they actually buy a ticket for a
ballet performance.
The Beijing Dance Institute will stage "The Nutcracker" from
December 9-17 at the Beizhan Theatre to satisfy the university
students and wage-earners' yearning for a chance to appreciate the
elegant performing art.
Most tickets for the performance are priced at 30 yuan ($4) and 50
yuan ($6) while the highest price is 180 yuan ($23).
Time: 7:15 pm, December 9-17.
Place: Beizhan Theatre, 135 Xiwai Dajie, Xicheng District,
Beijing.
Tel: 6893-5812, 6893-5817.
New Year performance -- The Ballet Dance Ensemble of the China
Opera and Ballet Dance Theatre will present a series of ballet
performances from December 1997 to January next year to greet the
upcoming "Year of the Tiger."
Schedule:
"The Sleeping Beauty," 7:15 pm, December 24, 25, 27, 28, The
International Theatre of the Poly Plaza.
"The Red Detachment of Women," 7:15 pm, December 30, 31, The
Beizhan Theatre.
"Selected Episodes from classic Ballets," 7:15 pm, January 8-9,
Poly Plaza.
"Don Quixote," 7:15 pm, January 17-19, the Beizhan Theatre.
"The Swan Lake," 7:15 pm, January 21-26, the Beizhan Theatre.
Tel: 6406-3324, 6406-3325.
Swans from Russia -- The Kremlin Ballet from Russia will perform
immortal classical ballets "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker" at the
Beijing Beizhan Theatre.
Set up in 1990, the theatre boasts a number of first-class ballet
dancers. Most of their performances are 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 offers a happy ending to the 1997 China
International Opera and Ballet Year.
The activity is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the
Ministry of Radio, Film and Television, and organized by the
Beijing Venus Performing Agency and the Beijing Suoyou Culture
Development Corporation.
Time: 7:15 pm, December 6 ("Swan Lake"); 7:15 pm, December 7
("Nutcracker")
Place: Beizhan Theatre, 135 Xiwai Dajie, Xicheng District
Tel:6500-3388 ext 530
CONCERTS
Pop concert -- Taiwan pop singer Qi Qin will stage his solo
performance on December 20 at the Capital Indoors Stadium.
He will be joined by singer Xu Ruyun and the "Rainbow" band.
Time: 7:15 pm, December 20.
Place: Capital Indoors Stadium.
Tel: 6835-4055, 6405-7605, 6401-7663.
Symphony concerts -- Two symphonic concerts, "Sentiment from Silk
and Bamboo," will feature concerto works for traditional Chinese
music instruments.
The concertos incorporate traditional Chinese solo instruments
into Western-style symphonic orchestra, offering concert-goers a
unique experience in the integration of East and West.
The programme will cover "Dragons Fly and Tigers Jump (Chinese
percussion instrument)" by soloist Li Congnong, "Travel Across
Qinchuan (banhu)" by soloist Jiang Kemei, "Xiang Yu Taking Off His
Armour (pipa)" by soloist Zhang Yongyan, "A Tale of Bao Gong
(suona)" by soloist Feng Xiaoquan, "The God of Luo River (zheng)"
by soloist Lin Ling and "Diao Chan, an ancient beauty (dizi)" by
soloist Zeng Shaobin.
Sponsored by the Century Performance Company, the concert will be
accompanied by the National Opera and Ballet of China.
Time: 7:30 pm, January 10, 1998
Place: Beijing Concert Hall
Time: 7:30 pm January 17, 1998.
Place: Century Theatre, Nanliangmaqiaolu, Chaoyang District
Tel: 6466-4810
Military bands -- To greet and prepare for the coming New Year,
the Military Band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army will
perform "Good Morning Sun," "Captain's Marching," "Careless" and
"Dances With Wolves." Time: 7:30 pm, tonight.
Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie
Tel: 6605-5812
Blue Danube -- The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Political
Department of the People's Liberation Army will sponsor a New Year
concert featuring world-famous pieces.
Zheng Jian will be the conductor and Cheng Zhi and Wang Xiufen
will be lead singers.
Time: 7:30 pm, December 7.
Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie
Tel: 6605-5812
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_Date: 12/06/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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Updated on September 24, 1997

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_[1]The 15th Party Congress_

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

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[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_

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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

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[1][LINK]

[2][LINK]

[3][LINK]

[4][LINK]

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_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

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