ChinaDaily (970601-8)

[Big Jim]

China Daily

97 / 06 / 01 /

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1. A golden adventure on the Mekong
2. Unforgettable experiences at Great Wall
3. Celebrating longevity
4. Note ( Page 5, Date: 05/31/97 )
5. What's on (Page 6, Date: 05/31/97)
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A golden adventure on the Mekong

OUR ship is sailing on the upper reaches of the Mekong River. On the
left is Laos, the right Myanmar. Our destination is the mysterious
Golden Triangle, notorious the world over for its opium and heroin
trade.

The 2,668-kilometre-long Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia
and the seventh longest in Asia. The upper reaches of the Mekong,
comprising roughly a quarter of the total length, descend in a
southerly direction across the highlands of China's Yunnan Province in
a long, narrow, deeply cut valley and then form part of the
international border between Myanmar and Laos, as well as between Laos
and Thailand, and flow through Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam before
entering the South China Sea.

The Mekong is well worth reading about, for it is a remarkable river
flanked with green hills coated with dense forests, in which various
tropical plants compete for sunshine. Sometimes the river runs
smoothly; sometimes it runs torrentially; sometimes it squeezes its
way between giant, rugged rocks.

It is the dry season and the water is shallow. All the rocks hidden in
the river during the rainy season are now visible. The river creates
all sorts of images, as if, having broken loose from order, it must
try its hand at everything. The sunrise, sunset, clouds and mist add
unique colours to the river. Ah, beautiful Mekong.

Our ship is a 200-ton, shallow-hulled ship specially made for inland
water use in the dry season. The patented technology was invented by
Zhou Jinyu, head of the Fujian Shipping Technology Research Institute.
To examine the function of his shallow-hulled ship, Zhou invited our
group of eight journalists from Beijing to his ship and we embarked on
a one-week voyage along the upper reaches of Mekong.

On April 15, our ship set sail from Simao Port in the border region of
Yunnan Province. We did not see any cargo ships except two, which had
run aground in the shallow water and would not be set free until the
next rainy season. Drifting alone along the long river was a restful
experience.

Our eight-member team had another mission, that is, to investigate the
prospects of water transport, border trade and transnational tourism
on the Mekong since the neighbouring countries -- China, Myanmar, Laos
and Thailand -- have the same desire to exploit this "gold waterway,"
which so far has not been fully utilized.

In Manting Village in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
Province, we were curious to see the Dai-style two-storey wood houses.
The local villagers were very hospitable and invited us to drink tea
in their homes. With the deepening of economic reform in minority
areas, the Dai people have greatly improved their lives, both
materially and culturally. Many houses are newly built with trees and
flowers in the courtyards and motorcars at the gates.

Owing to the ideal natural environment and climate, the Dai women are
good-looking. With a short yellow dress and a long pink skirt, each
one looks like a fairy maiden. Along the riverside, women wash their
long, beautiful hair in the clear water, against a backdrop of banana,
palm and coconut trees. I wondered if I were in a fairyland far from
noisy cities.

We were lucky to come across the Water-Splashing Festival of the Dai
people. The local people celebrated their traditional festival by
splashing clean water on each other, holding dragon boat races, and
making sand sculptures on the river bank.

Along the upper reaches of the Mekong, we saw similar scenery and folk
customs in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. In spite of the language
barrier, we had friendly exchanges with the local people. The people
along the Mekong get along very well and supply each other's needs.
Chinese renminbi is hard currency at border fairs.

Almost all the people along the upper reaches of the Mekong believe in
Buddhism and Buddhist temples were seen in every town and village. I
was curious to see that in a Laotian temple, the statue of Sanskrit
(the Goddess of Mercy) holds a golden umbrella. In front of her stands
a figure of a young woman washing her long hair.

We had a happy get-together with the monks in the temple. The monks
looked so pure and innocent. They offered us bananas, mangoes and rice
cakes. They did not hesitate to have photos taken with us, even with
our women journalists. They showed us how to launch a "bamboo rocket."
We were excited to see that gunpowder, one of ancient China's four
major inventions, was employed by a group of monks in our neighbouring
country.

We swam in the river with the monks and splashed water at each other.
Ignoring the differences of race, religious beliefs and political
views, we enjoyed fresh air, clear water and hot sunshine, all the
bounty of nature. For the time being, I was free of any thoughts of
fame or wealth and felt as if I were a fish, wiggling my tail and
giggling with glee.

At last, we arrived at the Golden Triangle. It was getting dark and
all the lights were on. No terror or mystery, the place looked like a
tourist site, attracting thousands of visitors from different
countries. We did a lot of shopping and took a lot of pictures in the
Golden Triangle area. The local people splashed clean water on us to
express their best wishes for us.

During our stay, I did not see any violence, sex or evil acts. If
there were any, they were hidden in the dark corners. With a set of
questions, we left the Golden Triangle.

Back in Jinghong, the governmental seat of the Yunnan Xishuangbanna
Dai Autonomous Prefecture, we found everything dear to us. We stood on
our own land and felt at home. Even the air smelt sweet. Recalling the
one-week voyage, I had more confidence that the Mekong will sooner or
later become a real "gold waterway."
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_Date: 05/31/97_
_Author: Yu Wentao_

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Unforgettable experiences at Great Wall

BADALING, the most popular section of China's Great Wall near Beijing,
has been visited by 300 high-ranking state and government officials
from foreign countries since it received Nepal's prime minister in
1960.

President of the Cote d'Ivoire Henri Konan Bedie was the 300th VIP to
visit Badaling section of the Great Wall during his stay in Beijing
early this month.

His name has joined a list which includes former US presidents Richard
Nixon and Ronald Reagan, former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka,
Queen Elizabeth II, and Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

Known in China as "the 10,000-li wall," the Great Wall stretches 6,700
kilometres from Jiayuguan Pass in Northwest China's Gansu Province to
Shanhaiguan Pass on the coast of the Bohai Sea. Constructed during the
Warring States period (475-221 BC), the wall was completed during the
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

It is one of the few man-made architectural works that can be seen by
orbiting astronauts.

The late Chinese leader Chairman Mao Zedong's said: "if you fail to
reach the Great Wall you are not a true man," which has contributed to
the wall's popularity at home and abroad.

Constructed on rolling hills at Beijing's Yanqing County in 1505, the
Badaling section is considered as one of the best places to see the
Great Wall.

In 1992, the Great Wall was listed in the book of world heritage
published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, and Badaling received the honour as the representative
of the Great Wall.

Statistics indicate that more than 5 million overseas tourists have
visited Badaling in the past six years, including heavy-weight boxing
king Muhammad Ali, soccer player Diego Maradona, and singer Luciano
Pavarotti. (Xinhua)
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_Date: 05/31/97_
_Author: _

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Celebrating longevity

WUHAN -- Zhongxiang in Central China's Hubei Province will celebrate a
longevity culture and tourism festival during the "Double Ninth
Festival," or the Chinese seniors' day, which falls on the ninth day
of the ninth month on the lunar calendar.

During the festival, Chinese and foreign tourists will visit villages
with a number of people over 90 years old who will relate their
experiences.

Zhongxiang is located in the central part of Hubei Province, and it is
one of China's three areas where many people enjoy a long lifespan.

According to a nationwide census in 1990, the city, with a population
of 960,000, has 270 people 90 years of age or older.

Apart from many cultural relic sites, Zhongxiang has a State-level
scenic spot -- the Dahong Mountain, and a State-level forest park.
(Xinhua)
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_Date: 05/31/97_
_Author: _

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Note ( Page 5, Date: 05/31/97 )

Forest parks

URUMQI -- Forest parks have sprung up in Northwest China's Xinjiang
Uygur Autonomous Region in recent years, providing recreation for both
local people on holiday and travellers from afar.

Last year five forest resorts opened in Xinjiang, bringing the number
to 27 in China's largest ethnic-minority autonomous region, according
to local government officials in charge of tourism.

These new parks are located in the suburbs of cities, with herdsmen
renting out their tents as hotels and restaurants.

In 1996, some 820,000 tourists visited the parks, 200,000 more than
during the previous year. Officials predicted a future yearly growth
of 10 per cent.

To govern the activities of tourists, local forestry authorities have
issued regulations to prevent fires and the accumulation of waste.

The completion of a 520-kilometre highway running across the desert
will benefit the development of the forest parks as it links up many
such parks. Moreover, this desert highway has itself become a tourist
attraction, according to the officials.

Science attraction

ZHUHAI -- Zhuhai, a coastal city in South China bordering Macao, is
planning to build an oceanic science park.

The project will be undertaken by a Hong Kong company and the
Xiangzhou District of Zhuhai, involving a total investment of $30
million.

The park is expected to include a marine life research institute, an
aquarium, a dolphin exhibition site, an aviary hall, and other
amusement and recreation facilities.

There will be some 18,000 species of fish and reptiles in the park,
which is expected to open to the public around spring festival in
1999.

Wild plant dishes

SHIJIAZHUANG -- Tourists visiting the imperial summer resort of
Chengde northeast of Beijing are finding another attraction: edible
wild plants.

Chengde, which is several hundred kilometres from the Chinese capital
and is on Unesco's World Heritage list, is the site of a summer resort
and eight outer temples built by emperors of the Qing Dynasty
(1644-1911).

The hilly city has more than 1,000 types of edible wild plants and
herbs that are served in new dishes prepared by local restaurants and
hotels.

"It's quite paradoxical that these herbs, which were used only by very
hungry people and which were considered too humble to be served to
guests, are now the favourites of many well-to-do tourists," one city
official commented. They are so popular with the tourists, in fact,
that many take packaged herbs back home as souvenirs.

The herbs are also sold in other parts of China and in a dozen
countries and regions outside the country. And, in order to meet the
growing demand, the city has opened more than 70 wild plant processing
factories. Last year, the business earned local farmers an additional
170 million yuan ($20 million).

Shenzhen speed

SHENZHEN -- Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province received some
2.23 million tourists during the first quarter of this year, 36.55 per
cent higher than during the same period last year.

Statistics from the city's trade and development bureau indicate that
Shenzhen generated 11.27 per cent more revenue from overseas tourists
and 46 per cent more from domestic tourists in the first three months
compared with the same period last year.

Meanwhile, hotels, zoos and scenic spots in and around the city all
have more visitors.

(Xinhua-CD)
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_Date: 05/31/97_
_Author: _

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What's on (Page 6, Date: 05/31/97)

EXHIBITIONS

One-man oil painting show -- Zeng Hao, a 1989 graduate from the Oil
Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, is holding his one-man
oil painting exhibition at the gallery of his alma mater.

A native of Yunnan Province, Zeng is deeply influenced by the natural
environment of his tropical hometown. He has found a language of his
own to express his feelings on life and human nature. With a
two-dimensional visual perception, Zeng Hao's oil paintings show a
peculiar style in describing the everyday life of common people.

In spite of his fantastic imagination, Zeng's painting style can be
classified as realism. His works show his concern for human life,
human nature and human interests.

Time: 9 am-4 pm, through June 5

Location: 5 Xiaowei Hutong, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District

Telephone: 6528-4838

Architecture show -- Organized by the Beijing Ancient Architecture
Engineering Company and three other units, the China Ancient
Architecture Art Exhibition is being held at the China National Art
Museum through June 1.

Hundreds of pictures and dozens of models of ancient Chinese
architecture are on display.

The unique structures of Chinese imperial palaces, parks, temples,
monasteries and tombs will educate and astound.

Time: 9 am-4 pm, through June 1

Location: China National Art Museum, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District

Telephone: 6401-2252

Calligraphy and painting show -- The China Calligraphy Association is
presenting its '97 Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition of Golden Cows
at the Beijing Working People's Cultural Palace.

The cow is the symbol of perseverance and the embodiment of many fine
characters.

Hundreds of calligraphers and painters use their minds and brushes to
create hundreds of works displaying the different spirit of cows.

Time: 9 am-5 pm, through June 4

Location: Beijing Working People's Cultural Palace, east side of
Tian'anmen Rostrum

Art works by children -- An exhibition showcasing calligraphy,
paintings, photos and sculptures by children under 14 will be held on
June 20 at CVIK Shopping Centre.

On display will be 50 award-winning pieces chosen from the
participants in the art contest sponsored by CVIK. The event is also
designed to mark the return of Hong Kong to the motherland.

Time: Contest period: May 30 to June 8; exhibition starts on June 20

Location: CVIK Shopping Centre, 111 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District

Telephone: 6615-0218

Photo exhibition -- A photographic exhibition of the Israeli Supreme
Court Building in Jerusalem will be held at in the School of
Architecture of Qinghua University.

The exhibition consists 40 photos and blueprints of different sites of
the building, which present its unique style and the guidelines that
were used by the architects to reflect the spirit of the building and
its connection to the tradition and history of Israel, as well as the
building's interaction with its natural surroundings.

The exhibition is jointly organized by the School of Architecture of
Qinghua University, the Chinese Architecture Society and the Israeli
Embassy in China.

Time: 8-11 am, 14-17 pm, June 9-18

Location: School of Architecture, Qinghua University, Qinghuayuan,
Haidian District

Telephone: 6277-0314

Technological art show -- The first show of Chinese-American artist
Tsai Wenying's technological art is now running at the China National
Art Museum.

"The Cybernetic Sculpture Environment of Tsai" shows his recent and
early work and highlights his innovative cybernetic sculpture
installations that utilize engineering and technology.

Tsai's 20 works, including "Victory" (1971), "Semisphere" (1972),
"Tuning Fork" (1974) and "Electra" (1983), have appeared in galleries
around the world, such as New York's Museum of Modern Art and the
Venice Biennale.

For this exhibition, Tsai has created a series of new works specially
for Beijing, composed of fiberglass rods that vibrate in response to
sound and motion. Viewers will be able to interact with the pieces,
which respond to noise and movement.

Time: 9 am-4 pm, through June 14

Location: China National Art Museum, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District

Telephone: 6401-2252

Painting show -- The leaders of the Chinese academic world are
celebrating the return of Hong Kong to the motherland. More than 100
elderly and prestigious professors will show 110 Chinese paintings,
calligraphy, water colours, oils and sculptures at the Beijing
International Art Palace.

In the spotlight is Professor Zhao Zhizhong's calligraphic work -- a
golden-character copy of the Hong Kong Basic Law.

The event is organized by the China Senior Professors Society, which
was established in 1985.

Time: 9 am-10 pm, through June 9

Location: Beijing International Art Palace, 48 Wangfujing Dajie,
Dongcheng District

Telephone: 6513-2516

Show on Hong Kong -- A large exhibition featuring 240 photos and 300
documents and objects on Hong Kong's history and its return to China
will open on May 30 as part of the celebrations for the historic
event.

Also on display are more than 20 charts and wax figurines. Some of the
exhibits are being shown for the first time since they were collected
in State museums or archives.

Sponsors of the exposition include the Hong Kong and Macao Office of
the State Council, State Archives Bureau and China Museum of
Revolutionary History.

Time: 9 am-4 pm, through June 30

Location: China Revolution Museum, east of Tian'anmen Square

Telephone: 6526-3355, 6512-9347

One-man show -- Yang Qitian, 66, a film director with the Beijing Film
Studio and member of the China Film Artists Association, is also good
at Chinese ink painting and calligraphy. His one-man show will be held
on June 3-8 at the China National Art Museum.

With true feelings and unique techniques, his works are appreciated by
both professional and amateur artists. As a versatile artist, Yang
believes that art is infinite and art pursuit is endless.

Time: 9 am-5 pm, June 3-8

Location: China National Art Museum, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District

Telephone: 6401-2252

Oil Paintings -- Zheng Keying's Oil Paintings will be showed at the
Western Returned Scholars Association in Beijing on Sunday. On display
are 20 her latest works. Time: June 1. Location: Nanheyan Dajie,
Dongcheng District

Telephone: 6525-5269

SONG AND DANCE

Ode To Mother: A song and dance party -- The China Song and Dance
Ensemble, the Beijing Modern Dance Troupe and some well-known pop
singers will perform on this charity show. The income of the show will
donate to the Programme Happiness.

Programme Happiness, initiated by China Population Welfare Fund, China
Family Planning Association and China Population News in Febuary 1995,
aims to help rural mothers get rid of poverty, illiteracy and illness.

Gao Feng, Luo Zhongxu, Chen Lin, Zhu Hua, Lao Lang, Dai Rao and other
famous pop singers will perform in the party.

Time: 7:30 pm, June 7.

Location: Beijing Workers Gymnasium, Chaoyangmenwai Daijie.

Tel: 6429-8692

OPERA

Peking Opera -- The China Peking Opera Theatre will present a series
of classic Peking Operas to commemorate the 50th anniversary of late
Chairman Mao Zedong's speech on literature and art in Yan'an.

* June 1

"Chuncao Outwits an Official of the Court."

Chuncao, a maid to the prime minister's daughter, rushes into court to
save a young man who has killed the defence minister's son, who was
attempting to molest her mistress. She lies and says the man is the
son-in-law of the prime minister.

* June 2

"The Forest of Wild Boars"

* June 3

"The Red Lantern."

One of the eight most popular "model Peking Operas" created during the
"cultural revolution" (1966-76), about a family which devotes itself
to fighting the Japanese.

Time: 7:15 pm

Location: People's Theatre, 75 Huguosi Dajie, Xicheng District

Telephone: 6602-2476

Original opera -- The Liyuan Theatre at Qianmen Hotel presents Peking
Opera in the original style. The theatre has revived the ambience of
old Beijing by setting up Ming-style tables so guests can sample
snacks during performances.

Performers are from the Beijing Peking Opera Theatre.

Time: 7:30 pm, nightly

Location: Qianmen Hotel, 175 Yong'anlu, Xuanwu District

Telephone: 6301-6688 ext 8986

DRAMA

Man's world -- The China Youth Art Theatre's new presentation "To Be a
Man" is a recent hit on the capital's stage.

Through the collapse of a family, the play reveals the conflicts and
dilemmas people encounter with the development of society. Traditions
are challenged, including attitudes towards social values, life,
marriage and family.

Time: 7 pm, June 5-22

Location: Small theatre of the Beijing people's Art Theatre, 22
Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District

Telephone: 6525-0123

Beautiful comedy -- When two women who haven't seen each other for 20
years run into each other again, they have a lot to tell each other --
and the audience -- in the comedy "Women Are Beautiful."

One of the women has worked hard to become economically powerful,
while the other has turned herself into a typical modern intellectual.
They find their differences do not get in the way of their mutual
understanding.

The playwright, producer and director of the comedy are all young with
overseas professional study experience.

Time: 7:15 pm, May 31-June 4

Location: The Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities,
49 Xiwai Dajie, Xicheng District

Telephone: 6602-2770

New drama -- Beijing People's Art Theatre is said by critics to be one
of the best drama troupes in the country. Almost every drama it stages
becomes a hit. To mark its 45th anniversary, the theatre will present
"Antiques," a modern drama with Beijing flavour and strong cast. The
play describes Beijing early this century.

Around anecdotes of an antique shop in Liulichang, a 200-year-old
business street in the capital, the drama brings on stage a group of
characters with different occupations, reproducing scenes of old
Beijing 70 years ago.

Time: 5:15 pm, June 10-30

Location: Capital Theatre, 22 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District

Telephone: 6525-3677

CONCERTS

Young musicians -- Young musicians from the Music Branch School of
Beijing Art School will feature a chamber concert to celebrate the
June 1 International Children's Day.

They will play Chopin's "Polonaise," Mozart's "Sonata in G Major" and
Bizet's "Intermezzo from Carmen."

Time: 7:30 pm, May 31

Location: the Art Salon of Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, 48 Wangfujing
Dajie

Telephone: 6512-5063 or 6513-3388 ext 1209

Charity show -- A charity concert is to be held at the Beijing Concert
Hall in order to set up a new Aiyue (Philharmonic) Hope School.

The concert hall has held three such charity concerts since 1994. This
time it will present the "Calling Out Muses -- Poetry Recital
Concert."

Famous film performing and dubbing actors and actresses including Qin
Yi, Sun Daolin, Pu Cunxin, Qiao Zhen, Ding Jianhua and Zhu Xijuan will
recite Chinese and foreign poems by renowned poets, including "The
Little Match Girl" by Anderson, "The Old Man and the Sea" by
Hemingway, "To Kane" by Pushkin, "Children, the Angels" by Tagore, as
well as Chinese poems such as "Raining Lane" by Dai Wangshu, "Dayan
River, My Nurse" by Ai Qing, "Farewell Again, Cambridge" by Xu Zhimo.

The Youth and Women's Aiyue Philharmonic Chorus will sing in the lobby
to welcome the audience. Yang Hongnian will conduct. Musicians
including Zhang Weiliang, a famous dizi player, will also attend.

Time: 7:30 pm, May 31

Location: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie

Telephone: 6605-5812

(The concert will be re-staged at 7:30 pm on June 2)
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_Date: 05/31/97_
_Author: _

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