ChinaDaily[980101-8]

[Chinese News]

China Daily

98 / 01 / 01 /

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1. Plays applaud modern drama
2. Concert to celebrate 50 years of teaching
3. Culture Notes (Page 9, Date: 12/31/97)
4. Tujia folksongs inspire composer's new album
5. Poor farmer leaves cave to become businessman
6. Scholar studies life in Hong Kong
7. What's on (Page 10, Date: 12/31/97)
8. [INLINE]
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Plays applaud modern drama
THE year 1997 was the 90th anniversary of the beginning of modern
drama performances in China.
To commemorate the historical event, activities, which will last
until January 11, are now in full swing in Beijing.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and China Federation of
Literary and Art Circles, the 18-day event includes a forum on the
strategy of the development of modern drama, an awards ceremony
for more than 700 dramatists who have devoted themselves to the
art of modern drama for more than 50 years and the shooting of a
telefilm about the history of Chinese modern drama.
But the best gifts to the celebration are the plays by theatres
from all over China. Among the 18 plays that have been or will be
put on, "Men's Tears" by Guangzhou Modern Drama Troupe and
"Dignity"by Shanghai Modern Drama Art Centre and Shanghai People's
Theatre are about two hot topics of today.
"Dignity" tells a story of a Chinese student, who studied in the
United States, trying to defend her dignity. When she was
humiliated by an American banker family she went to court to sue
them, which brought her innumerable difficulties. But all the
difficulties could not shock her self-respect. The sincere
understanding between people was her faith. At last, she won the
dignity of a woman.
At this time of commemorating the 90 years of modern drama in
China, "Dignity" is probably the most noticeable play from
Shanghai. The play, written by Sha Yexin and directed by Yu
Luosheng, is a work by the Shanghai People's Theatre, Shanghai
Modern Drama Art Centre. Since its debut at the beginning of
December in Shanghai, it won acclaim from all audiences.
Originally a reportage by Sha Yexin with the same title, the
adapted play not only enriches the protagonists' personalities,
but also strengthens the indomitable spirit to fight for one's
dignity.
To make it more real, some foreign actors take part in the play.
The staff feels like a multi-national force because they come from
Asia, Europe, America and Africa.
The conflict between individuals for dignity is common at any time
or place. However, in this play the conflict happens in modern
society, which is most familiar, and most touching to people
living in it.
The play's director Yu Luosheng wrote on the programme, "Dignity
tells the story of a Chinese woman in the United States, but it is
not only a story of Chinese and American. Dignity should belong to
every one in the world." That is probably what the director wants
to express through the play.
The play has special meaning for playwright Sha, for all his
children are overseas. "I hope that my children live with dignity
in other people's lands," said Sha.
If "Dignity" displays the tenacity of a woman to protect her
dignity, "Men's Tears" shows the painful course of men's pursuit
of ideals.
The story is set in Longshan Developing Zone in a coastal city in
southern China. It was founded by reformers such as general
director Wang Tianjun, vice-general director Liang Musen and
general engineer Yan Ting. They have struggled five years in the
developing zone since it was founded. Now a "Scientific Technology
Mansion," which symbolizes the prosperity of the developing zone,
is going to be completed. A large conference for seeking
investment is also going to be held. This is at the same time the
"Scientific Technology Mansion," in which reformers have put much
effort, begins to sink and tilt.
Facing this serious problem, the reformers confront outside
obstructions and their personal feelings. They finally choose
responsibility and brush aside personal honour or disgrace.
A famous Chinese saying goes "A man does not shed his tears
easily." When men cry, they leave not only solemnness, but many
things for people to think about.
"Men have tears. Men's tears are heavy,"said Xu Yan, who wrote the
play.
Unlike "Dignity," "Men's Tears" tells a story that happens around
us. In September 1995, a 14-storey building in Shanghai was
ordered to be demolished by the construction supervision
department. In December 1995 an 18-storey building in Central
China's Wuhan, Hubei Province, suddenly tilted because the
foundation began to sink and had to be demolished.
The problem of building quality has aroused people's anger and
shock, but accidents keep happening. In March 1997, a workers'
dormitory building collapsed in Putian, Fujian Province, which
killed 31 people and seriously wounded 16; in July when "Men's
Tears" was still under rehearsal another dormitory building
collapsed in Changshan, Zhejiang Province, and killed 36 people.
What to do with unqualified buildings, such as the one in "Men's
Tears," is a symbol of the choice of our future, said Wang
Xiaoying, director of the play.
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 12/31/97_
_Author: Mu Qian_
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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Concert to celebrate 50 years of teaching
THE highly-respected operatic singer and professor Zhou Xiaoyan
from Shanghai is going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her
teaching career with a concert in Beijing performed by her
students.
Now one of China's most well-known opera singers, Zhou went to
study in France in the late 1930s. While there, she sang the lead
role in Russian-American composer/conductor/pianist Alexander
Tcherepnin's "Peasant & Nymph," thus becoming the first Chinese
operatic singer to perform on the world stage.
In 1947, Zhou came back to China, and began giving recitals and
teaching in her alma mater, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Over the past 50 years, Zhou has cultivated generations of singers
through her scientific, effective training methods. Many of her
students have risen to fame at home and abroad, becoming
contracted singers with big opera houses around the world.
In 1988, Zhou opened the Zhou Xiaoyan Opera Centre in Shanghai.
Under her artistic guidance, the centre has staged "Rigoletto,"
"La Traviata," "Cavalleria Rusticana" "Don Pasquale" and the
Chinese opera "The Prairie."
In 1992, she also set up the Zhou Xiaoyan Youth Chorus which
performs regularly in Shanghai.
The Beijing concert, sponsored by Shanghai Eastern Television and
the Shanghai Performing Agency, will be held in the Zhengxie
Theatre on January 6. (CD News)
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 12/31/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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Culture Notes (Page 9, Date: 12/31/97)
Gorges series
A SIX-EPISODE documentary describing the natural beauty of the
Three Gorges on the Yangtze River in Central China was released
recently.
The documentary, "In Praise of the Three Gorges," is co-produced
by Chongqing Television Station and Beijing Golden Sun Cultural
Arts Centre. It is said to be the first musical television
programme telling about the scenery, historical and cultural sites
of the Three Gorges.
The music of the documentary has involved dozens of first-rate
composers and songwriters in China like Xu Peidong, who was the
artistic director of the documentary. There are 19 songs written
for the theme of the Three Gorges.
It has also attracted 18 famous singers to perform in it.
The shooting and editing of the documentary took more than three
years.
Marx to come
UNQUESTIONABLY a superstar who can be compared with Whitney
Houston, Paul Young and Michael Bolton, Richard Marx will perform
in China in April.
Marx, who was firmly established with the song "Right Here
Waiting," is known for his sentimental, husky voice that has
attracted millions of fans over the world.
The concert organizer is Beijing Wangshida Co Ltd, a trade company
that has turned to investing in environmental protection. The
company has sponsored many large cultural events including
concerts, arts exhibitions and television serials in the last five
years in Beijing. (CD News)
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 12/31/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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Tujia folksongs inspire composer's new album
REPUTATION betrays, but it doesn't do so all the time.
Composer Zhou Zhiyong's strong suit -- at least what is reputed to
be -- is his fresh, quick and creative verve in writing
sentimental love songs.
Since 1982 when he graduated from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music,
he has written a variety of works ranging from chamber music, folk
music, symphonic poems to pop songs. He firmly established himself
in the capital as a mainstream songwriter through the large number
of theme songs he has written for soap operas, including the
famous 100-episode TV series "The Capital's Chronicle." These
songs have become very popular when sung by the country's hottest
pop singers.
But the composer himself claims that his real interest and passion
is to find, rearrange and compose folk music original to the Tujia
ethnic people in Central China's Hubei Province, his birthplace.
The ethnic group is known for their centuries-old tradition of
singing at wedding and funeral ceremonies.
"I think I was born to be close to this folk music, though for a
very long time I didn't know how to incorporate it into my
compositions," Zhou said.
Escaping from his busy commissions with big television stations,
music festivals and art troupes, Zhou has gone back to his
hometown many times to collect the folk songs he loves.
This folk music is the inspiration for the songs in his latest
album. The new compositions are of a different sort altogether
from the pop songs which have made him famous.
"I'm not sure how the listeners will respond to them, but I know
for sure that I have never been so eager to write," the composer
said.
"I feel like I am writing from my life experience, and this album
is only the very beginning," he added.
Entitled "Red Scarf," the album contains seven songs with
impressive background music that give a picture of life only to be
found among the Tujia.
The theme song "Red Scarf," which is inspired by the folk song
"Crying for the Wedding," tells how a bride wails on her wedding
day. In it, the composer is trying to express the sentiments and
sadness of a woman entering marriage.
According to the local tradition, her tears -- the more, the
better -- are her gratitude to her parents.
The singer is usually the bride herself. But in case she does not
sing well, she can invite someone else to sing at the wedding. Of
course, she must pay.
But whoever the singer is, she must cry while singing to move the
guests to tears. Here, there is none of the laughter, applause and
happiness usually expected at weddings.
The song "Rising" describes a funeral scene. Again, contrary to
the usual grieving and weeping, the local tradition is to sing and
dance for the dead. It is believed that the soul of the dead goes
up to heaven, leaving behind the hardship, sadness and misfortune
that the person encountered in life. So it is the time to
celebrate, rather than to mourn.
Other songs, including "Wind Bell in the Sun," "Happy Garden" and
"White Tiger," are all inspired by, or taken from popular folk
songs of the Tujia Minority.
But what has drawn attention to the composer this time, even
before the album has been released, is his unconventional
orchestration.
In it, he uses both Western and Chinese musical instruments such
as the violin, erhu, percussion instruments, electronic music, and
even the ancient bianzhong, the bronze-gilded chime.
"I haven't tried to be faithful to the folklore. I don't see the
significance of doing that."
"I'm just borrowing from it to enrich my own language," Zhou said.
Optimistic about sales, the producer, the Tianxia Wenbao Culture
Co Ltd, has invested US$120,000 in recording and editing. It is
going to be released nationwide soon. Big recording companies such
as PolyGram and Warner are also interested in overseas release.
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 12/31/97_
_Author: Mao Jingbo_
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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Poor farmer leaves cave to become businessman
JINAN (Xinhua) -- A Chinese farmer left the cave he lived in, in
China's Shandong Province and, after a long process became a
successful businessman and is now taking courses in business
management at Beijing University.
Liu Jiakun's story started in 1984. That was when the then
27-year-old farmer in Jiujianpeng village left the isolation of
Longshan Mountain where he was born and had grown up. A year
later, he returned to his village, with his eyes open wider and
with more ambition and a determination to help other villagers
improve their lives.
He funded a road renovation project to help the isolated people
get in contact with the outside world he had seen. Three years of
hard labour resulted in a better road, a stone products factory,
and a stock-breeding farm. People's lives improved considerably,
and by 1990, Liu had become a role model and his village known for
its successful struggle against adverse conditions.
But the real challenge came in 1991 when Chinese farmers were
given greater freedom to participate in market competition. Liu
came to realize that there would be no market if they stayed in
the mountains.
So, he set his sights on urban areas. With the county government's
approval, the village set up a granite processing plant and two
quarries. It also opened a machinery parts factory together with
one of China's major industrial enterprises.
By 1996, Jiujianpeng Industries Co, with Liu as general manager,
had earned more than 1.4 million yuan (US$168,674) in profits. The
poorly dressed cave dweller now wears a neat suit. "It's the
reform policy that has offered us opportunities to improve our
life," he said.
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 12/31/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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Scholar studies life in Hong Kong
HONG KONG (Xinhua) -- A black and white portrait of Confucius on
the wall, a big kite featuring an owl -- the Western symbol of
wisdom -- beside the computer, and on top of the shelves the
British Union Jack and Hong Kong's bauhinia flags.
That is the very first glimpse of Dr Michael DeGolyer's small,
compact office on the new campus of Hong Kong Baptist University.
The office is somewhat an epitome of Hong Kong, where East meets
West in a free and frequent way, the associate professor of
government and international studies joked.
He came to Hong Kong in mid-1988 with his wife and son, and first
taught in the history department. There was no government and
international studies department at the Baptist college, which was
much smaller, then.
"I just wanted to study overseas, live overseas and work overseas
for a while, because I study history, political economy and
comparative economy," DeGolyer recalled why he had quit his
teaching job at an American university and settled in Hong Kong.
His keen academic interest in Hong Kong led to years of devotion
to a research project on the handover, involving social scientists
at various universities in Hong Kong as well as overseas.
Since February 1989, DeGolyer has been on the Hong Kong Transition
Project, which studied the transition of Hong Kong from British
colonial rule back to China, and its far-reaching impact on Hong
Kong, on China and the world.
"Prior to the handover, we did 18 surveys through telephones,
about twice a year, interviewing 600 to 1,200 residents each
time," said DeGolyer, director of the project. Following each
survey was a heavy workload of analyzing and writing.
The last survey report before July 1 showed there remained a
fairly high degree of optimism among Hong Kong people, with 60 per
cent of the respondents saying they were "very optimistic" or
"optimistic."
Concerning expectations in the next decade, 44 per cent expected
Hong Kong to be "better" and 11 per cent "about the same."
Now with Hong Kong being a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of
China, the project is starting a new series of surveys which will
go to 2007, the 10th anniversary of the handover.
"We are revising some of the questions," DeGolyer said. For
example, Hong Kong's integration with the inland areas of China is
more closely watched. The first post-handover survey report is due
to be released in January.
"What we are trying to do is to understand this process better as
you know 'one country, two systems' is a kind of new concept," he
explained. "The group is a multi-disciplinary one, looking at
various aspects of Hong Kong's development."
The research work made DeGolyer a target of the media -- he has an
average of five interviews and briefings every week.
He gets up between 4 and 5 in the morning to study until 7 am,
then listens to radio, watches TV news and reads papers and
magazines if there isn't an early class.
"So I can keep up with what's going on in Hong Kong and Asia,"
DeGolyer said.
In the recent regional financial turmoil, Hong Kong has done much
better than other Asian economies, DeGolyer said.
"There are some areas we need to look at, for example, our
distorted property market, but on the other side if you look at
competitiveness, Hong Kong came out second or third on most of the
lists."
He is excited about Hong Kong's prospects. "China is set to grow
and Hong Kong has a position of growth leadership in China's
economic development."
But, speaking of the education field, the scholar turned critical.
"In the US people graduate from high school and go on to
university study. In Hong Kong, only 18 per cent of high school
graduates can go to university, which means we are educating only
less than one person out of five."
Even worse, "in a wealthy society like Hong Kong, 40 or 50 per
cent of our primary students go to school only half-day (for lack
of school buildings)."
It is something Hong Kong really needs to improve, DeGolyer said.
His family has fostered a deep feeling towards the city. "We
prefer to live in Hong Kong than anywhere else. We like Hong Kong
very much."
_____________________________________________________________

_Date: 12/31/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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What's on (Page 10, Date: 12/31/97)
EXHIBITIONS
Joint Art Show -- A joint exhibition of traditional Chinese
paintings is under way at the Wanfung Art Gallery.
On display are over 50 pieces of works done by 30 Chinese artists
with different subjects and styles.
Time: 9 am- 5 pm, until December 31.
Place: 136 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
Tel: 6512-7338.
Two-person Art Show -- Hou Dalu and Ding Li, two young artists
from Shandong Province, will hold their flower-and-bird painting
exhibition from January 5-15 at the Gulao Art Gallery.
Time: 9 am- 6 pm, January 5-15.
Place: Gulao Art Gallery, Ritan Dongyijie, east of Ritan Park,
Chaoyang District, Beijing.
Tel: 6509-3083.
Oil paintings -- The Beijing International Art Palace is holding a
40-day oil painting exhibition until February 6 next year.
The oil paintings on display come from the collection of the art
palace and most of them have been displayed in the gallery of the
art palace.
Time: 9 am-6 pm, until February 6
Place: Beijing International Art Palace, 48 Wangfujing Street,
Dongcheng District
Tel: 6512-5063
Ancient handicrafts -- Beijing Art Museum, situated in the ancient
Wanshou Temple, reopened its Exhibition of Handicrafts in the Ming
and Qing dynasties 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: jade ware, wooden and
bamboo carvings, rhinoceros horn, glassware, enamel and lacquer
ware.
The treasures display a good mixture of palace art, literati art
and folk art of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Time: 8.30 am-5 pm, daily
Place: Wanshou Temple, Suzhoujie, Haidian District
Tel: 6841-3380
Brilliant cultural relics -- The National Museum of Chinese
History is hosting a grand exhibition, featuring the pick of new
archaeological discoveries in China.
The 608 historic relics on display are presented by 101 museums
and cultural relic research units from the country's 31 provinces
and cities.
Most were unearthed in the last four years, almost all being shown
in Beijing for the first time. The priceless exhibits include rare
fossils of homo sapiens, bronze wares, silver and gold ornaments,
bright and colourful porcelains and lacquer wares, silk fabrics,
pottery figurines and stone cuts, as well as gold seals and
inscribed slips and tablets.
Time: 8:30 am-5 pm, December 31
Place: National Museum of Chinese History, east of Tian'anmen
Square
Tel: 6526-6604, 6512-8901
Medici Collection show -- 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.
Time: 8 am-5 pm, until January 10
Place: Beijing Working People's Cultural Palace, east of
Tian'anmen Rostrum
Tel: 6403-1631
Abstract art -- More than 200 abstract oil paintings are on show
at the J.B. Studio on the east side of the embassy area.
Time: 9 am-5 pm, daily.
Place: Guanghua Xili, Jianwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.
Tel: 6594-0161
Contemporary art -- Red Gate Gallery is hosting an exhibition of
original works by fine contemporary Chinese artists of the last 10
years.
Paintings on show are by artists including Su Xinping, Zeng
Fanzhi, Guo Jin, Liu Qinghe, and Aniwar, who have been selected
for the 1998 Calendar and past calendars.
Place: Level 3, China World Trade Centre, 1 Jianwai Dajie,
Chaoyang District.
Time: 11 am-6 pm, until December 31
Tel: 6505-2266 ext 6821/5729
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_Date: 12/31/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_

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[INLINE]
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Updated on September 24, 1997

[INLINE]

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_[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

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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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