Li Gang, a senior official from the Ministry of Culture, said that the event will run the whole month of May.

Thirty-four professional and amateur performing arts troupes from home and abroad will take part. They include the world famous Royal Danish Ballet, the Vienna Opera and the Israeli Youth Symphony Orchestra.

In addition there will be performances by China's leading orchestras, folk dance ensembles and popular artists from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

There will be performances in all of Beijing's major venues as well as in public areas and squares in the capital.

In addition the thousands of local people and guests expected to attend will be able to enjoy a variety of art exhibitions and other cultural events.

'Meet in Beijing 2000' is the latest in a series of similar festivals that China's capital has hosted in recent years. The idea behind them is to introduce foreign arts to China and introduce Chinese arts to foreign visitors.

The first such event was held in 1996. Themes from previous festivals include "Symphony Year International" and "Opera and Ballet Year International".

Zhang Yu, who is CEO of the China Performing Arts Agency, says this year's gala will stand out for the range and variety of performances. He promised the people of Beijing and their foreign guests a wonderful time.